Frequently Asked Questions Which titles are covered by Word of Life International? The only titles able to be reproduced using an annual copyright licence are the ones found in the "Song Title Listing" or this web site. Which songs are in copyright and what are not? Titles listed in hymn/song books will have enough information to check if a song is still in copyright. Songs with copyright protection will hold their copyright for the life of the composer/lyricist/arranger plus a period of 70 years after the music composer's and text writer's/author's death. You will notice that there will be dates shown after the composer's and author's name, usually at the bottom of the page. If only one date is shown then this is the birth date of the composer or author which means they were still alive when the publication was printed, if there are 2 dates shown with the composer's or author's name, the second date is the composer's or author's death date. If today's date is more than 70 years from the second date then the song lyric or music is out of copyright or in the "Public Domain". This means the copyright has lapsed and the song lyric and or music may be transcribed without permission. Make sure of this rule before copying music or lyrics without a copyright licence. Another way to tell if a work is in the "Public Domain" is, the song will have words like "Traditional", "Author Unknown", "Negro Spiritual", "Old Folk Song", "Old Irish Melody" etc listed with the title of the song to hymn. If a direct photocopy or direct scan is to be made, then these rules do not apply. You must follow the ruling of the "Published Edition Copyright Law", check the copyright of the arrangement/ rearrangement of the work and the date the publication was published. The original work may be in the "Public Domain" but the arrangement may be still in copyright, you will need to seek permission to make a direct photocopy or direct scan. The "Published Edtion Copyright Law also protects the publication type setting and page layout etc. Making a direct reproduction of a publication less than 25 years after the published date requires permission. The Published Edtion Copyright lasts for 25 years from the publishing date of the publication. What ways can words and melody line be reproduced from the WOL repertoire? With the Annual Restricted Copy Licence, One Time Use Licence and Parish Hymnal Licence the words/lyrics and melody line may be reproduced for overhead transparencies, overhead projection using Microsoft Power Point or another program used for projection, slides, commemorative booklets for weddings, funerals, festive celebrations etc and weekly song sheets etc. The following phrase must be shown at the bottom of the reproduced work, "Used with permission, Word of Life International Licence number ...........". The composer and copyright owner must also be shown near the title of the song/ hymn. If works are transcribed to an overhead transparency or booklet etc then the words must come directly from a published hymnbook or songbook, not a photocopied sheet. The licence holder must own at least one published copy of the song lyrics to take the words from. What ways can full music be reproduced from the WOL repertoire of titles? Full music maybe copied with a WOL licence, if the licence number starts with 5,000 or above ie. 5,123 or 5,678. Music cannot be copied with an "Annual Restricted Copyright Licence(Words and Melody Line Licence or Parish Hymnal Licence). The music maybe handwritten or photocopied, it is NOT be reproduced on to overhead transparencies, in booklet form, leaflet, computer- generated projection or slides. The music allowed to be copied is the same as out lined in question 1 "Which titles are covered by Word of Life International". The prerequisite for a music licence is, the church or school etc must own at least 2 published editions of the sheet music or accompaniment versions. The phrase "Used with permission Word of Life International License Number.........." must be shown on the reproductions. Can I copy a song lyric or music which is not listed in the Word of Life International song title listing? Before copying the song lyric or music, you must check the Word of Life International Song Title Listing to make sure the song/hymn is covered, if the work is not listed, read the procedure explained in Question 1 or contact WOL. The title maybe covered by WOL but not shown in the listing due to the fact that it may not be a widely used or popular title. The listing is produced once a year and only lists the titles covered by WOL at the time of print. The title maybe covered since the time the "Song Title Listing" was printed. For an updated list of titles check our title section on this web site. How can I reproduce secular (non Christian) music legally? Firstly you will need to find out who the copyright owner or publisher is. Copyright owners will be usually shown on the CD, record cover or cassette cover and music book. Make contact with the publisher to find out who owns the print rights. The publisher should help you with contact information or contact AMCOS (Australian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society) www.amcos.com.au as they maybe able to give you the relevant information. You may have to pay a copyright permission fee. Can I copy lyrics into a commemorative booklet for a wedding or funeral with a WOL copyright licence? Yes, as long as title(s) is cover by WOL, if the title is NOT covered by WOL then you must seek appropriate copyright permission. How can I use copied music in a public place other than a church or school? For a "once off" occasion, you can apply for a "One Time Use" licence, this will give you permission to use copied lyrics and music for worship service in a public place. We will need to know the titles used and how copies will be made, the composer of the work, publisher/copyright owner of the work, the location the licence will be used, the date the licence will be used. We will also need an address and fax number or email of the payer of the invoice. For worship services an APRA (Australia Performing Rights Association)licence is not required. If the event is not a worship service ie. Christmas carols etc. then an APRA www.apra.com.au will need to be contacted for a license for the public performance of music and permission will be required from PPCA (Phonographic Performance Company of Australia)  www.ppca.com.au for the sound recording copyright if sound recordings are used. Can I change any words or music with a WOL copyright licence? You are not permitted to make any changes at all to the lyrics of a song without the copyright owner's permission. For example, changing MEN to US, MINE to OURS, HE to GOD and so on. You are not permitted to re-arrange the music that will change the melody or progression of the song. You are able to add other instrument parts if they are not available to buy or the parts are not shown in the full music providing you have a WOL Full Music Licence with a licence number 5000 or above. The addition of these parts must be in keeping with the original score. WOL does advise the parties concerned, to contact the copyright owner for proper approval if any other changes are to be made. WOL can not permit these other types of changes to be made under the licensing scheme. If answers to questions other than these are required, please contact WOL by Phone: 61 3 5664 9245 Fax: 61 3 5664 9249 Email: freelink@sympac.com.au