How does copy wright laws work if, you want to sing a song in your church?

Question:If you are making money from performing a copyrighted work, you are supposed to pay royalties to the copyright holder.

If not, you don't have to.
Where it gets "iffy", is if say, you sing the song, don't get paid, but it's taped and ends up on TV or radio.
Then royalties are supposed to be paid.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: If you are making money from performing a copyrighted work, you are supposed to pay royalties to the copyright holder.

If not, you don't have to.
Where it gets "iffy", is if say, you sing the song, don't get paid, but it's taped and ends up on TV or radio.
Then royalties are supposed to be paid.

If you're not making money off of it and nobody is recording it to make money, its OK.

Generally speaking it's technically illegal but they don't press the issue. Most bars have bands doing copyrighted tunes. If the bar is big enough and get visited by BMI or ASCAP they are told they have to get a license which is around $600 a year (each) and then they can play unlimited tunes legally and freely.

So until BMI or ASCAP comes to visit, don't worry.

Super big churches like the Crystal Cathedral and the main Mormon Church already have licenses (and they pay a lot more than $600 a year).

If it is a religious song and there is no charge for the service and it is not recorded or video recorded and it is not on TV then there is no charge.

singing in church is like singing in any public place. you can't be sued for singing in your car or while you walk down the street. profit is the catalyst to copywrite lawsuits. i.e. i can write coca-cola on my t-shirt with no fear of retribution... but if i sell that shirt, i am liable under copywrite laws