On the Second Day of Christmas CCS Gave to Me…

December 11, 2019

The Benefits of Having Two Types of Performance Licenses 

One of the first steps your church should take to ensure copyright compliance is securing performance licensing. Performance licensing is required for churches playing or performing copyrighted music in routine ministry activities, as well as special events.  

Except for the Religious Service Exemption, the legal requirements for the use of copyrighted materials by religious organizations are pretty much the same as any business. So, a Christmas program that isn’t part of the church’s religious service is NOT exempt and will require performance licensing. Plus, the Religious Service Exemption does NOT apply to broadcasting or online streaming of your service.  

The easiest and most affordable solution is CCS’s PERFORMmusic Facilities License. With PERFORMmusic your church can play and perform more than 25 million songs anywhere in your facilities or satellite campuses, even traveling with your church to offsite events. The uses are many, so we’ve outlined a few here:     

  • Onsite Facilities – Play music before and after services in your foyer, café, or bookstore. Even your on-hold telephone feature is covered.   
  • Social & Outreach Events – Use live or pre-recorded music at Christmas bazaars, holiday mixers, football viewing parties, and more.     
  • Adult & Children’s Ministry – Perform or incorporate music during Christmas programs, retreats, bible study classes, and volunteer youth groups.      
  • Satellite Campuses & Offsite Events – Your license travels to other campuses and covers offsite events. Perfect for all your Christmas events!  

Many churches may want to feature their Christmas productions on their websites during December. To legally stream copyrighted music online, a digital streaming performance license is required.  

The CCS WORSHIPcast Streaming License allows you to stream your worship services, special events, and guest performances of these same 25 million songs, including secular Christmas music, on your website. This does NOT include pre-recorded music.  

At CCS, we understand that licensing can be confusing, so we do our best to make it simple. This FREE download focuses on five practical reasons your church or ministry may need a church streaming license. If you have any questions, call us at 877-394-5566 or live chat with church copyright consultant online.

About Christian Copyright Solutions: CCS’s quest is to help churches and Christian ministries “do music right.”  CCS is an expert on church music copyrights and our primary focus is providing licensing and clear educational resources to churches. Follow us onTwitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube. The information contained herein is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice or a substitute for legal counsel. 

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