Copyright
Introduction
Most of the texts used in liturgy are copyright; it is against the law to copy them without permission. They are either texts of the Church and so copyright protects their liturgical and literary integrity or they are the work of individual authors and composers.
ICEL is the copyright holder for most liturgical texts, no fee is charged and no permission need be obtained for non-commercial, one-off reproduction. The texts should be acknowledged and reproduced in the form they presented in the liturgical books.
If scripture is, for some special reason, to be included permission generally needs to be obtained beforehand.
For hymns and liturgical music it is important to remember that there are three areas of possible copyright: music, text and graphics (the design of the printed page). If all three are being reproduced there may need to be three distinct copyright permissions. The acknowledgement section of hymnbooks are a useful source of information, though it is important to remember that the inclusion of a hymn in a hymnbook does not mean that the copyright of the hymn is owned by the publisher of the hymnbook.
There are also a couple of music copyright licence schemes which allow for an annual fee the reproduction of words (and melody line of music) of publishers who are members of the scheme. (See CCLI and Calamus below).
Whatever material is used, text or music, in a people’s booklet it should be acknowledged.
This information has been taken from the Guidelines for the Production of one-off Service sheets (pdf). It is concerned with single service sheets for one-off occasions. For other situations — a permanent or semi-permanent edition or commercial publication — the advice of the copyright holders should be sought.
Liturgical Texts
ICEL
- International Commission on English in the Liturgy
- 1100 Connecticut Avenue, NW,
Suite 710,
Washington, DC 20036-4104.
USA
tel. 001 202 347 6640,
fax 001 202 347 1839
email permission@eliturgy.org
Text Acknowledgments
When texts from different rites are used in one booklet the acknowledgements are placed in chronological order.
- Excerpts from the English translation of the Rite of Baptism for Children © 1969, emended 1984, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.
- Excerpts from the English translation of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults © 1985, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.
- Excerpts from the English translation of the Ordination of Deacons, Priests, and Bishops © 1975, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.
- Excerpts from the English translation of the Dedication of a Church and an Altar © 1978, Revised 1989, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.
- Excerpts from the English translation of the Order of Christian Funerals © 1989, 1985, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.
- Excerpts from the English translation and chants of The Roman Missal © 2010, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.
- Excerpts from the English translation of the Order of Celebrating Matrimony © 2013, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.
- Excerpts from the English translation of the Order of Confirmation, Second Edition © 2013, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.
Bishops’ Conference texts
- Excerpts from The Divine Office © 1974, hierarchies of Australia, England and Wales, Ireland. All rights reserved.
Any other enquiries about the copyright text of the Divine Office should be addressed to AP Watt at United Agents.
Scripture Texts
Jerusalem Bible
- Darton Longman and Todd Ltd
- 1 Spencer Court,
140–2 Wandsworth High Street,
London SW18 4JJ
tel. 020 8875 0155
fax 020 8875 0133
sales@darton-longman-todd.co.uk
Darton Longman and Todd allow up to 500 words without application with the following acknowledgement:
- From The Jerusalem Bible © 1966 by Darton Longman & Todd Ltd and Doubleday and Company Ltd.
Grail Psalter
- HarperCollins Publishers
- permissions@harpercollins.co.uk
Upto 5 Grail Psalms maybe used in one booklet without permission. For other enquiries contact HarperCollins. The acknowledgement required is:
- From The Psalms: A New Translation © 1963 The Grail (England) published by HarperCollins.
Music Copyright Licence Schemes
One License
One License covers Decani Music, Oregon Catholic Press, GIA Publications Inc, World Library Publications, McCrimmons, Taizé, Kevin Mayhew Publications, Oxford University Press, Make Way Music, Jubilate Hymns and others.
- One License
- https://onelicense.net
CCLI (Christian Copyright Licensiing International)
covers Kevin Mayhew Publications, Oxford University Press, Thank You Music, Make Way Music, Jubilate Hymns and others.
- Church Copyright Licence (CCLI)
- PO Box 1339
Eastbourne,
East Sussex, BN21 1AD
tel. 01323 417 711,
fax 01323 417 722
www.ccli.com