Comparing CCLI and OneLicense For Churches

When you’re playing or performing songs in your church, ministry, or other organization, you must get the proper license. Two of the main organizations that can provide these licenses to your church or ministry are CCLI and OneLicense.

What is the difference between CCLI and OneLicense? CCLI licenses most contemporary Christian music and worship materials, while OneLicense focuses more on sacred music and liturgies from various denominations. Most churches will use one or the other depending on the type of music they use.

There are some ways to determine which licensing organization you will need to use for your particular project or service, but the best place to start is by getting a better understanding of what CCLI and OneLicense do.

What CCLI and OneLicense Do

The Similarities

CCLI (Christian Copyright Licensing International) and OneLicense are organizations that provide copyright licensing services for churches and other religious organizations. These organizations help churches legally use copyrighted music and

other materials in their worship services and other activities while ensuring the original artists receive proper credit and payment for their work.

CCLI offers licenses that cover the use of Christian music and worship materials in church services, as well as the creation of custom arrangements and the projection of lyrics on screens. CCLI’s licenses also cover the use of songs in printed materials, such as hymnals and bulletins.

OneLicense offers similar licenses that cover the use of sacred music in church services, including the projection of lyrics on screens and the creation of custom arrangements.

Both organizations also offer the ability to purchase licenses that allow users to stream, record, and podcast services that include copyrighted music. Just make sure that you check to see if this ability comes with the license you purchased or needs to be added on separately.

Both CCLI and OneLicense work with music publishers to ensure that songwriters and copyright owners receive appropriate compensation for the use of their music. By obtaining a license from one of these organizations, your church or ministry can legally use copyrighted music in your worship services and other activities without having to negotiate separate agreements with individual copyright owners.

The Differences

The main difference between CCLI and OneLicense is the music catalogs that each organization provides.

CCLI primarily represents contemporary Christian music and worship materials, including songs from popular worship artists and hymn writers. If you’re looking for worship songs from artists like Elevation or Hillsong, this is usually where you’ll find it.

Their library includes a wide variety of music styles, from traditional hymns to contemporary worship songs. CCLI also offers resources and services to help churches with song selection, arranging, and projection.

On the other hand, OneLicense represents a broader range of sacred music, including music and liturgies from different religious traditions and denominations. Their library features a variety of publishers, including many well-known hymnals and songbooks. OneLicense also offers a searchable database of music and other materials, as well as tools to help churches with copyright compliance and reporting.

When choosing between CCLI and OneLicense, it is important to consider the specific needs and preferences of your church. If your church primarily uses Christian music in its worship services, CCLI may be the best option. However, if your church uses a wider variety of sacred music and liturgies, OneLicense may be a better fit. At the end of the day, though, you will likely need both

organizations at some point.

How to Use CCLI and OneLicense

Here are the basic steps for obtaining and using a license from either CCLI or OneLicense:

1. Determine which organization to use: If your church primarily uses contemporary Christian music, CCLI may be the best option. If your church uses a wider variety of sacred music, including music from different religious traditions, OneLicense may be a better fit. If in doubt, you can simply search each one’s library to find the song or material you’re looking for.
2. Choose the appropriate license: Each organization offers several different types of licenses, depending on the intended use of the music and materials. Consider which license(s) your church needs based on its activities, such as worship services, special events, recordings, or online streaming.
3. Sign up and pay the license fee: Once you have selected the appropriate license, sign up for the service and pay the license fee. The fee may be based on the size of your church or the number of activities you plan to use the music and materials for.
4. Access the music and materials: Once your license is active, you can access the music and materials through the organization’s website or other resources. Both CCLI and OneLicense offer searchable databases of music and other materials, as well as other resources to help with song selection, projection, and compliance.
5. Report usage: It is important to report the usage of the music and materials to the licensing organization, as this helps ensure that the appropriate copyright owners receive compensation. Both CCLI and OneLicense offer tools to help churches report their usage and stay compliant with copyright laws.

Using CCLI or OneLicense can help churches legally use copyrighted music and materials in their worship services and other activities while ensuring that songwriters and copyright owners receive appropriate compensation.

Occasions When a Church May Need to License Music

Songs are a big part of most church services, whether it’s background music as people find their seats or live performances of worship songs. Because of this, it’s easy to overlook getting the proper licenses for that music, but it’s important to make sure you aren’t infringing on any copyrights.

A church would typically need to use CCLI or OneLicense in the following situations:

1. Worship services: If a church plans to use copyrighted music, such as hymns or worship songs, during their worship services, they would need a license from CCLI or OneLicense. This includes projecting lyrics on screens, printing song lyrics in bulletins, and performing the songs live.
2. Special events: If a church organizes special events, conferences, or concerts where copyrighted music will be performed, a license from CCLI or OneLicense is necessary. This ensures that the church has legal permission to use the music in these events.
3. Recording and distribution: If a church wishes to make audio or video recordings of their worship services or performances that include copyrighted music, they would require a license from CCLI or OneLicense. This covers the distribution of recorded materials to church members or for streaming purposes.
4. Online services and streaming: In the digital age, many churches now offer online services or stream their worship services. If copyrighted music is included in these online services or streams, a license from CCLI or OneLicense is required to ensure compliance with copyright laws.

It’s important to note that the specific activities covered by each license can vary, so churches should review the terms and conditions of the licenses offered by CCLI and OneLicense to ensure they have the appropriate permissions for their specific use cases.

The Consequences of Church Music Copyright Infringement

Copyright infringement in a church setting with worship music can have legal and financial consequences. While usually these are simply getting live streams or recordings taken down from platforms like Facebook or YouTube, there can be more severe penalties as well. Here are some potential consequences of copyright infringement:

1. Financial damage: Copyright holders have the right to take legal action against individuals or organizations that infringe on their copyrights. If a church is found to be using copyrighted music without the proper licenses or permissions, it could be sued for copyright infringement. This could result in a legal battle, potentially leading to financial penalties and legal expenses.
2. Reputational damage: Copyright infringement can also lead to reputational damage for a church. Churches are seen as moral and ethical institutions, and being found guilty of copyright infringement can undermine trust and credibility within the community. This can have long-lasting effects on the reputation of the church and its leaders.
3. Loss of licensing privileges: If a church is found to have engaged in copyright infringement, licensing organizations like CCLI and OneLicense may revoke or refuse to renew their licenses. Losing licensing privileges can restrict the church’s ability to use copyrighted music legally, impacting their worship services and other activities.

To avoid these consequences, it is important to obtain the necessary licenses from organizations like CCLI or OneLicense and comply with copyright laws by using music within the boundaries of the licenses obtained. If in doubt, always consult with legal professionals or representatives from licensing organizations to ensure compliance with copyright regulations.

How much does it cost to use OneLicense or CCLI? Licensing costs vary depending on congregation size, but typically it costs a small- to medium-sized church about $150-$300 a year to obtain music licenses from OneLicense or CCLI.

Do I have to buy a separate license for every song I use? No, you don’t have to buy a separate license for every song you use. Both CCLI and OneLicense offer annual licensing plans that cover all the songs you want to use throughout the year. There may be additional costs for certain resources or licensing uses, though.