Here are some ways to legally include music in the videos you record and post online.
Option 1: Purchase permission to stream songs
Videos only stream on & hosted by Youtube, Facebook, Instagram
“If you are looking to live stream via YouTube or Facebook, the song’s performance is covered by those platform’s direct licences with PRS and MCPS. The Facebook licence is relatively new, and specific reporting of song usage is slowly growing (though still legally covered), however YouTube is more developed. Both platforms have an automatic content ID system that recognises songs and reports their usage to the copyright owner. Their systems give the option for the copyright holder to take advertising revenue the pertinent video may contain or take it down.
If you are planning to live stream your worship music (given the discussion of lyrics above) via Facebook or YouTube you will be covered automatically by YouTube and Facebook’s pre-existing licence arrangements with PRS and MCPS (including Instagram- which comes under the Facebook licence), and sync licensing should be covered by YouTube and Facebook’s content ID systems.” source: Bespoke Records
If you intend to include lyrics for copyrighted songs requiring royalties, then you must pay streaming licenses. CCLI OneLicense You must provide attribution for any lyrics posted.
Videos streamed or hosted by other platforms.
It is worth noting other streaming software (e.g. Zoom, Skype) do not have such blanket licences in place- so streaming live music via these services is illegal unless a licence is sought directly from the copyright owner (music publishers).” Read more
Option 2: Perform public domain songs
You can freely perform public domain songs text and can sing over public domain soundtracks Anyone can record your own copy of public domain song, but others own copyright of their recording. Get permission from them.
Display lyric: Yes
Must attribute: No, not for original song. But anyone who slightly modifies a public domain song owns copyright for that modification
Option 3: Stream music by generous musicians
Only for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, the following song owners kindly allow their videos to be included in your service video stream. They also allow you to post the lyrics to their songs.
The following require that you give them attribution during your video stream, and on with any lyrics you post.
Sovereign Grace with permission (22 languages)
Getty Music with permission
Emu Music with permission
Rend Collective with permission for limited songs
The following do not require attribution during your service, but it doesn’t hurt to give them attribution. If you post their lyrics, you should give them attribution.
Option 4: Embed or link publicly shared worship videos
Embed publicly shared worship videos onto your church websites page (sample) or link YouTube playlist Without purchasing a license or getting permission, you cannot include their video in your livestream. You also cannot post their lyrics without permission or license, but some musicians provide publicly available lyric videos. Or if the owner of music publicly posts their lyrics online, you can link to the page where they are legally posted.
Background music for your own videos
To have background music when editing your own videos in Filmora, iMovie, FCPX, Movavi, Premiere, you can get music in a license from sources like https://missionalscore.com
Audio quality in recording
For churches, it is preferred to have a streaming service with an audio codec which is suitable for both music and voice. Video conference tools like Zoom are typically optimized for voice, but not music. You can experiment with this before your planned service time. Or simplify your music style. Or pre-record and schedule your online video service.
Safety during musician recording
Minimize the number of singers/instrumentalists. Keep them separated at least 6-feet, but more distance is better. Singing outside is ideal. Some churches allow singers from different locations. (sample)
Wipe down all mics and handles between uses. They can be infectious even 8-14 days before symptoms show. More resources on danger. 1 2
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