By: Lisa Elliott Diehl On 8/26/2010
Topics: Marketing and Communication, Technology, Worship
More and more pastors are using movies to enhance sermon points. Churches are hosting movie nights. Church preschools are showing Veggie Tales cartoons to educate and entertain the kids.
But are they doing it legally? Have you ever read the FBI warning at the beginning of a DVD? The Federal Copyright Act of 1976 stipulates that pre-recorded DVDs and videocassettes are authorized for personal home use only. Special permission is needed for any public performance – and that includes showing even a short clip in church on Sunday morning. Violations can result in substantial fines, up to $150,000 per infringement.
So, how can a local church legally show DVDs? Christian Copyright Licensing Inc. (CCLI) and Motion Picture Licensing Corporation (MPLC) have partnered to create Christian Video Licensing International (CVLI) and the Church Video License, which offers blanket copyright coverage for video titles from more than 400 producers.
Through an agreement with studios and producers, churches with a CVLI license can play just a few seconds of a movie or the entire full-length feature legally.
Depending on your needs, CVLI offers two producer package options.
The Total Producer Package offers more than 400 producers, including major studios.
But if you only need videos focused on religious and family-based themes, check out the Family Values Package.
What the license covers:
What the license does NOT cover:
This license does not cover materials that have been copied from another source or recorded from television. It also does not cover charging an admission fee for video showings or where specific titles have been advertised or publicized.
This license covers manufactured DVD’s and video cassettes purchased, rented or borrowed. For full terms of the agreement, please see Terms and Conditions. http://www.cvli.com/terms-and-conditions/
Pricing structure is based on regular attendance at the main service(s).
UMCom offers this service. For information on the UMCom agreement, see the United Methodist TechShop Web site.