In general, CCLI licenses only cover use of the Musical Work (composition and lyrics) during worship services. CCLI licenses do not cover Sunday school, VBS, or any other type of event outside of the typical Sunday worship service. However, please see the questions below for more on how Group has decided that Group-owned songs can be used within any church function.
For questions specific to CCLI licenses, please contact CCLI directly.
- “Standard” CCLI license – for in-person church-related worship services. To read more about the standard CCLI license, visit the CCLI Copyright License Manual.
- CCLI Streaming license – allows you to be able to stream your worship services online. To find out more about the CCLI Streaming License, visit the CCLI Streaming License Terms of Agreement.
- CCLI Streaming PLUS license – allows you to use Master Sound Recordings in your streamed worship services. To find out more about the CCLI Streaming Plus License, visit the CCLI Streaming License Terms of Agreement.
**Please report your use of Group-owned songs under your CCLI License.**
CCLI Related Q&A
Q. Our church has the “standard” CCLI License. Does that mean we can play Group-owned music during our Sunday school, VBS, or other not-for-profit ministry events?
A. Yes
Explanation: First, whether you have a CCLI License or not, if you have purchased a Group VBS program or a Group curriculum, you may use the music that comes with those programs during that VBS program or when teaching/using the curriculum, in person. Your CCLI License applies when using this same music in another unrelated program or using music you that you purchased stand-alone, during in-person events/programs. As the owner of the music, even though the CCLI License is intended for worship services, Group has the right to allow Group-owned music to be used under the CCLI license in non-worship service events. Group is happy to report that we include all Group-owned songs in the CCLI license programs, and we grant purchasers of our music the right to use Group-owned songs (audio, video, compositions, and lyrics) within any of your not-for-profit in-person (not streamed) church-related programs under your “standard” CCLI license. We ask that you report your use of the song(s) under your CCLI license each time it is used.
Q. Our church has the new CCLI Streaming License. Does that mean we can play Group’s Music Videos or Master Sound Recordings in our streaming services?
A. Conditional
Explanation: The CCLI Streaming License doesn’t include permission to stream any Master Sound Recordings or Videos. If you purchased Group music outside of a curriculum or VBS program, you will either need to upgrades to a CCLI Streaming PLUS license or purchase a Web License from Group, if available.
If you purchased a Group VBS or Curriculum product, you may include music (audio or video) that came with that program for in-person and/or streamed worship services where you are promoting or celebrating your church’s experience using that Group program. This streaming permission is limited to use in a church service that is being streamed and only applies to songs marked with copyright lines stating either “© Group Publishing, Inc,” or “arrangement © Group Publishing, Inc.” This permission does NOT extend to conducting your Group VBS or Curriculum program online, or to posting Group music or videos separately as stand-alone audio or video pieces.
Q. Our church has the CCLI Streaming PLUS License. Does that mean we can play Group’s Music Videos or Sound Recordings in our streaming services?
A. Conditional
Explanation: The CCLI Streaming PLUS license allows you to stream Master Sound Recordings in your streaming services. All Group-owned songs have been included in this program. And, while the CCLI Streaming PLUS license doesn’t include permission to stream music videos, Group DOES allow music videos using Group-owned songs to be played in your streamed services IF you have the CCLI Streaming PLUS license. Please bear in mind, Group only extends this permission for Group-owned songs. You will be able to recognize a Group-owned song when you see either “© [YEAR] Group Publishing, Inc.” or “arrangement © [YEAR] Group Publishing, Inc.” in the copyright line.
**Please report your use of Group-owned songs under your CCLI License.**