Question 1

Which organizations are behind the Church Video License?

Accepted Answer

The Church Video License and CVLI Vault are provided by CVLI (Church Video Licensing International), the result of a partnership between CCLI (Christian Copyright Licensing International), and MPLC (Motion Picture Licensing Corporation).

Question 2

Does CVLI endorse all movies authorized under the Church Video License?

Accepted Answer

CVLI does not necessarily endorse the entire content of any movie or TV show covered. Before showing any title, in whole or in part, please preview and determine if the content is appropriate for your intended audience.

Question 3

We own a copy of the movie, do we still need a license to view or show it in public?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The location requires a license regardless of who owns the movie. While you may own a copy of the movie, you are only granted the right to view it in a personal, private setting. Any public screening requires permission, which is usually provided by a license.

Question 4

If our event is free to attend, do we still need a license?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The U.S. Copyright Act states that regardless of whether an admission fee is charged, a license is required. In fact, the license only covers screenings where no admission fee is charged.

Question 5

We are a Sunday school or childcare center; do we qualify for a “face-to-face” teaching exemption?

Accepted Answer

No. The educational exemption is narrowly defined and applies to full-time, non-profit academic institutions only.

Question 6

We are a non-profit. Do we still need a license?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The legal requirement to obtain a license applies equally to non-profit and for-profit organizations.

Question 7

Does one license cover multiple locations for one church (multi-site) or do we need a license for each site/campus location?

Accepted Answer

The Church Video License is site-specific, so an organization with more than one site needs to license each one individually. If you need to cover multiple sites, please call 1-888-771-2854 (Multi-site ministries cannot buy the Church Video License from CCLI’s online store).

Question 8

We rent our facilities to other groups. Can we be liable for copyright infringement?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The exhibitor is considered the “primary infringer,” but the owner may be held vicariously liable or considered to be a “contributory infringer.”

Question 9

How can I check if a movie is covered?

Accepted Answer

With almost blanket coverage, a list of individual titles is not possible. Instead, check the Authorized Producers List to determine if a movie is covered. For help in confirming the authorized producer, follow our step-by-step guide.

Question 10

Do we need to report, or show any copyright information for movies/TV programs that we show?

Accepted Answer

The Church Video License requires NO reporting or displaying copyright information for any content it covers.

Question 11

Why are some Christian movies not covered by the Church Video License?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, some producers have elected to join the CVLI Authorized Producer List. We continue to dialogue with these producers and remain hopeful that we can partner with them in future. However, CVLI represents 5,000+ producers (including all the major Hollywood studios) and countless titles, so we are able to offer the best value by far when it comes to movie licensing for church ministries.

Question 12

Can we show movies or movie content from any source, including video-sharing websites such as YouTube?

Accepted Answer

The Church Video License grants permission to publicly display authorized content otherwise intended for private, personal use only. This means you can display any content which is covered by your license using a wide range of sources. This would include any legally-obtained media. It would also include legitimate video-sharing websites such as YouTube, provided what you are showing is authorized under the license, and you are using an official channel of the producers or their affiliates.

Question 13

Is there a limit to how much of a movie we can show, or how many movies we can show?

Accepted Answer

No. The license permits you to show any authorized movie or TV program in full or in part as often as you want, for as long as your license remains active.

Question 14

How do we know what’s covered by the License?

Accepted Answer

The license covers titles where the Theatrical Right is held by an Authorized Producer. You can follow our step-by-step guide to confirm who holds the Theatrical Right for the title you wish to show in your country.

However, at times, Producers place certain titles on moratorium so that they cannot be performed under the CVLI Church Video License. A current list of titles on moratorium can be found here.

Question 15

How do I stop my license from auto-renewing next year?

Accepted Answer

To cancel your auto-renewal, please complete and submit the Cancel Auto-renewal form.

Question 16

Can we charge an admission fee?

Accepted Answer

No admission or other fee can be charged to the audience (free-will offerings and concessions to cover costs are fine). The exhibition cannot be used to endorse any goods or services.

Question 17

What are the advertising restrictions?

Accepted Answer

No specific titles, characters from such titles, or producers’ names can be advertised or publicized to the general public (the major studios view any advertising as competing with the local theaters and/or title by title distributors). Any promotion on the licensee’s website must not advertise specific details about the title.

This restriction applies to local papers, the internet, radio, television, outdoor marquees, flyers outside the facility, and any other media outlet to the general public.

Within the licensed facility you may post flyers that include the title, characters, and production company of the movie. This information may be included in mailings or emails sent directly to facility or church members.

For further details see the License Terms, Term 4; ‘RIGHTS’.

Question 18

What are the streaming restrictions?

Accepted Answer

The Church Video License terms do not cover streaming movie content – even if used in a sermon – over the internet to the general public.

However, with the Church Video License it is permissible to live stream movie content inside the facility as long as it is a closed-stream (not accessed publicly).

Streaming movie content is also permissible using a platform that is gated or private (password protected and only open to members and guests), such as a video-conferencing app (or your own church website, requiring a password to join).

If you still desire to stream a live service and include movie content on sites that are accessed by the general public (like YouTube or Facebook) you would need to seek the direct permission of the copyright owner before streaming.

Question 19

Can we host outdoor movie screenings?

Accepted Answer

Outdoor screenings are permissible under the License. However, the outdoor exhibition must be held on the facilities of the licensee and must not be visible from the street or any adjacent property. The audience must be limited to members of the facility or church and their guests. It is not open to the general public or non-members.

Question 20

What is the CVLI Vault?

Accepted Answer

The CVLI Vault is a treasure trove of movie ideas. Access to the Vault comes FREE with your Church Video License, and features 16,000+ Movie Ideas, searchable by title, theme, or actor/actress.

Question 21

Where can I find my Access Key to sign in to the Vault?

Accepted Answer

Your Access Key is always included in our regular new title emails to licensees. If you’re not subscribed, you can't find your Key, or your Key isn’t working, please contact us.

Question 22

What’s the difference between a Movie Idea 'Video' and 'Timestamp'?

Accepted Answer

Each movie in the CVLI Vault features 'Videos' or 'Timestamps'. A Timestamp provides cues so you can find the start point of the relevant content from your own legal source. A Video features an embedded video of the content to preview. You can use this to live-stream the content during your service or event, or use an alternative source if you have one.

Question 23

Why can’t I download a Movie Idea?

Accepted Answer

CVLI does not have permission from the Producers to offer downloads. Instead, show the content by live-streaming the embedded in the Movie Video, or follow the Timestamp cues using your own copy, rental, or streaming subscription. Although previously a small number of downloads were available, these have now become embedded Videos which can be live-streamed where you have internet access. We apologize for any inconvenience this change may cause.

Question 24

Are all movies in the CVLI Vault covered by the Church Video License?

Accepted Answer

All content listed in the CVLI Vault is authorized under the License in the USA. However, as other territories have different authorized producers, if you’re outside of the USA please check the Authorized Producers List to confirm a title is covered in your country.

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Church Video License FAQs

About CVLI

When you need the License

Using the License

What you can and can’t do

About the CVLI Vault