Who is CCLI?
CCLI stands for "Christian Copyright Licensing International," and is an organization that enables real-time access to licensed Christian music and media while easing the burden of administration in the many complex issues related to copyright. They provide churches, organizations, and schools with the resources for rehearsing, performing and displaying the most inspiring audio and video, while at the same time, simplifying the costly administrative work involved in copyright licensing. In doing so, they honor the artists, labels, and studios who create and own this work by ensuring fair use receives fair compensation.
CCLI helps churches such as ours honor copyright law and the creative people who author these valuable works.
What does the CCLI license cover?
Storing Lyrics
Enter and store song lyrics on any computer for visual projection to assist with congregational singing
Printing Songs
Print songs, hymns and lyrics in bulletins, programs, liturgies and song sheets for congregational singing
Recording Services
Record and capture your worship services (audio and video), provided you only are recording live music
Making Custom Arrangements
Arrange, print and copy your own vocal and instrumental arrangements for congregational singing where a published version is not available
Projection or Display
Make copies, digital or physical, of copyright-protected lyrics for projection or display during congregational singing.
Translating Songs
Translate song lyrics into any other language for congregational singing where a published version is not accessible or available
Application to NAC USA Congregations
Many of our USA congregations have a CCLI license. If your congregation has this license, then all of the above activities are covered. This license does not cover the posting of lyrics, music, and recordings of copyrighted songs from our song books to a website, however. Permission was granted for these songs to be included in the books, but not on digital platforms. Subsequently, the lyrics, music, and recordings for these copyrighted songs (any songs with a copyright notice at the bottom) are not included on Music Companion. Only lyrics, music, and recordings for public domain songs (songs without copyrights and available to the public) can be included on the site, per copyright law.
We realize and understand that this will be disappointing to many. Perhaps, because we are quite small when it comes the number of our users, we could "get away" with posting copyrighted music. However, as an established, national church, we need to take an honest, legal approach here. We want to do what is right, as we are not above the law, and we also want to make sure we protect the church from any litigation or legal issues.
Thank you in advance for your understanding.
For additional information pertaining to CCLI, please visit their website: https://us.ccli.com/
If you would like to request a CCLI license for your congregation, please email music_worship@nac-usa.org and include the following information:
Congregation Name
Rector's Name
Average Sunday Attendance
Church Address
Music Contact
Contact Phone Number
Contact Email