With the growth of technology, other issues are arising in the church office
as well.
For instance, computer software is protected by copyright law
just as any other original creation. Most programs sold through retailers come
with a single-use license, said Dan Barry, an information services representative
for the Annuity Board of the Southern Baptist Convention.
With the growth of technology, other issues are arising in the church office
as well.
For instance, computer software is protected by copyright law
just as any other original creation. Most programs sold through retailers come
with a single-use license, said Dan Barry, an information services representative
for the Annuity Board of the Southern Baptist Convention.
Even so, it is common for users to install software on more
than one computer – something that infringes on the copyright owner’s
rights. By law, software that comes with a single-use license can be used only
on one computer. Additional copies or licenses must be purchased to use the
program on other computers.
“If you’re buying it out of a box, you have to buy
it for each person,” said Julie Bloss, an attorney for the Annuity Board.
Other than purchasing multiple copies of the software, options
include additional licenses and multiple-user licenses.
Additional licenses for a single-user product often can be
purchased through
the retailer or manufacturer.
Multiple-user licenses are available from companies that offer
business or corporate versions of their products.
Whatever the method, churches need to keep aware of the licensing
limitations and adhere to them, Barry said. “If people copy the software
like that, part of it may be they don’t know and part may be that it’s
easier or less expensive. But it’s still not right.
“If you’re a church, you are to be representing the
Lord,” he emphasized.
Other office copyright issues include checking to see that
art and other items used in church newsletters and bulletins are used with permission.
Clip art that comes with software is usually licensed for public
use, Barry said. Licensing information generally is included with the software.
Free clip art is available on the Internet, as well. However,
Barry said users should read information provided on the websites before using
anything.
“Before you just grab it off the site, you need to read
and see what it’s for,” he said.
Most sites contain copyright information or a usage policy.
Some may require accreditation or a minimal fee. It is important to make note
of these requirements and abide by them, Barry noted.
“There’s certainly a vast variety of resources off
the Internet. You just need to make sure to know how to use it.”
Another way copyright fits into office routines is in the use
of Christian compact disks or radio stations when a caller is put on hold. Since
the disks or broadcasts are considered intellectual property, they are protected
by federal law as well. To use them legally, churches should contact the copyright
holder for permission.
At least one Christian radio executive said he encourages churches
to use his station over their telephone system.
Rich Dupre is station manager for
KOUZ radio in Pineville. A few local churches use the station on their telephone
system – and others have inquired about
it, he said.
Dupre said he likes the exposure it can give the station, he
said. And although his station has no official process for setting up such an
arrangement, some stations may – and churches always should let a radio
station know if they use it on their phones, Dupre said. That gives the station
knowledge of their audience and an opportunity to promote the ministry, he explained.
“It’s a win-win situation when both parties know
what’s going on,” he noted.
Several organizations provide information about copyright laws
– including the Church Music Publishers Association and the Louisiana Baptist
Convention.
They advise churches to keep aware of what they can and cannot
do legally with copyrighted material – for two reasons.
First, the federal government allows copyright owners to collect
damages from persons who use their material without permission. Penalties for
copyright infringement range from fines to prison terms.
Second, such penalties bring about embarrassment for a church
or individual.
If a church discovers it already has unauthorized copies of
music or other material, the copies should be destroyed, Faull said. Then, the
church needs to go through the proper channels to obtain a CCLI license or other
necessary licenses and permission.
“Some churches have had to pay a lot of money because
of breaking these laws,” Faull warned.
Churches should know what they can and cannot use, and they
should set an example by abiding by the law, Faull said.
Also, it is important to check the law to see exactly what
is protected, because copyright regulations go beyond just music and computer
software. They range from Sunday School literature to pastors’ sermons.
“It’s stealing like any other stealing, but people try to justify
it any number of ways,” Faull acknowledged. “They should be concerned
that what they’re doing is an embarrassment to the Lord.”