Recording Music at Church - Option 1 - CCL

Audio/video record music from your church services

Licence: Church Copyright Licence (CCL)

There may be occasions when you'd like to record your worship services for those not able to attend, perhaps because they are housebound or involved in leading other groups.

Through an agreement negotiated with MCPS the CCL includes the right to record live music from your services for limited distribution to your congregation. However, this does not currently include copyrighted service words such as the ASB or the Book of Common Prayer. Permission to record these should be negotiated separately with the copyright owners.

Video Recordings

The CCL also permits you to video record weddings, baptisms and other special services, although permission does not extend to any reception following a service.

Please note that the CCL does not permit you to:

• Record music played from a pre-recorded source during the service, for example at a wedding when music is played when the bride enters, or during the signing of the register
• Overdub pre-recorded music on to a video/DVD.
• Record the live band or disco at any subsequent reception.

CCLI advises caution when a professional videographer is involved, since you may not be able to ensure that the terms of your CCL are adhered to. For more information about video recording weddings click here.

Charging for your recordings

These recordings may only be made for non-commercial purposes. However, charges may be made to defray expenses incurred. You may charge the following:

• Up to £2.50 for cassettes/CDs
• Up to £5.00 for videos/DVDs

The number of copies must not exceed 25% of the size category of your church. For example. If your church is size category B (which licenses up to 99 people) you may not make more than 24 copies.

Under the Terms of Agreement of your licence you are also required to report which songs you have recorded. Don't forget to click the 'Record' box in CopyReport. Click here for more information.

For more information about the CCL click here.

Licence Fees:

Licence fees are based on your average aggregate attendance at your main service and you can view them from here. 

Apply Now:

Click here to purchase your licence. 

Links to other pages in this section:

• More information about recording
• Make music recordings for sale to your local church and wider community.
• Recording music for wedding videos.  

Not sure which licences you need?

Check the Quick Guide Licence Table for a quick glance

Links to: Licence Fees / Apply Now / SongSelect / Create / FAQs / Terms of Agreement