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A denominational agency conducts an annual convention for clergy and lay members. The convention lasts for 4 days, and includes business sessions, evening worship services, youth services, and various luncheons and banquets. Religious music is performed at many of these functions, and audio or video recordings are made of some of the functions. Should denominational leaders be concerned about the copyright law implications of any of these activities?

Before we get started, test your knowledge by completing the following exercise.

Select the correct answer for each of the following questions.

1. Copyrighted religious music can be performed at denominational conventions without violating the copyright law.
   True or False
   
   
2. Copyrighted religious music can be performed during religious services at denominational conventions, and audio and video tapes of those services may be made, without violating the copyright law.
   True or False
   
   
3. Federal law permits religious organizations to use religious music at their conventions and conferences without having to comply with the technicalities of copyright law.
   True or False
   
   
4. A denominational convention includes evening worship services in which copyrighted religious music is sung by the choir and various soloists. This will violate the copyright law.
   True or False
   
   
5. A soloist sings a copyright religious song during a scheduled banquet that is part of a denominational convention. This will violate the copyright law.
   True or False
   
   
6. Evening services are conducted during a denominational convention. Words to various copyrighted songs are written out on a transparency that is displayed to the audience. This practice violates the copyright law.
   True or False

Most denominational agencies conduct conferences and conventions, and copyrighted music is often performed at these events in a variety of contexts. Examples include music sung by choirs, soloists, and audiences at worship services, and music performed at youth activities and meal functions. Audio and video recordings are often made.

Should denominational leaders be concerned about the copyright law implications of any of these activities?

The leaders of any denomination that conducts annual conferences or conventions should be aware of the potential copyright violations that can occur at such events, and take steps to eliminate potential violations. Federal law gives copyright owners the exclusive right to publicly perform and make copies of their works. Anyone who publicly performs or reproduces a copyrighted song infringes upon the copyright owner's legal rights and is subject to penalties. Infringement can occur in many ways at denominational conventions, including (1) the performance of copyrighted works at banquets, youth music concerts, business sessions, and by exhibitors; (2) the reproduction of copyrighted works onto transparencies for display during services; and (3) the making of audio and video tapes of services and special events containing the performance of copyrighted music.

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