Are you copyright compliant?

A well-chosen picture can capture your audience’s attention and help you to communicate your message more effectively. However, did you know that you can’t just copy a picture off the internet and use it to illustrate your sermon slides or your website? The copyright in a picture usually belongs to the photographer or creator and their work can’t be reproduced without their permission. 

This issue has come to the fore with the advent of ‘bots’ which trawl the internet to look for copyrighted images on behalf of agencies who can then demand a substantial licence fee from the website owner. We’re aware of several churches and charities who have received these sorts of claims in recent months.

So how can you make sure that you don’t inadvertently breach copyright? If you create a lot of digital content, you might consider subscribing to a stock photo site. Otherwise, simply search online for sites which offer ‘copyright free images’, for example Unsplash and Pixabay, and note whether they require you to include an acknowledgement. Even if it isn’t mandatory, it is good practice to credit the photographer, which can be done with just a small note at the bottom of your content. When you pay for an image, take care to read the small print of the licence agreement and ensure you select and pay for the option which best covers your requirements. For example, will you want to use the image in print or digital content, do you need a multiple-use licence and for how long?

If your content includes Scripture quotations, you’ll also need to consider the permissions guidance for the translation you’re using. See  https://www.hodderbibles.co.uk/imprint/jmpd/hodderbibles/page/hodder-bibles-more/#Permissions for the NIV and https://www.crossway.org/permissions/ for the ESV.

For the use of Christian worship music, video and streaming, you’ll find helpful guidance on the CCLI website: https://uk.ccli.com/