Have more questions about music licensing and permissions? Visit our FAQ page for additional information.
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Here is a list of licenses we offer with examples of how they might be used:

• Permission to Mechanically Reproduce Musical Work
  ie. producing a new recording of an OCP song for use on a CD or MP3 Album (for sale or not for sale)
• Permission to Reprint Musical Work
  ie. for use in a physical product that is produced for sale
• Permission to Televise/Videotape Musical Work
  ie. for a TV show or a televised Mass
• Permission to Broadcast Musical Work (Audio Recording)
  ie. for a radio station
• Permission to Reprint Music for a Workshop
  ie. in handouts at an educational event
• Permission to Use Music for a Public Performance
  ie. at a youth convention, play or concert
• Permission to Reprint Musical Work onto CD-ROM
  ie. in a digital devotional created and sold to the public
• Permission to Broadcast Music via Internet
  ie. in a podcast, YouTube video or digitally streamed Mass

After your request is approved, a copyright license will be mailed back to you. Included in the mailing will be the date of approved use and all applicable copyright notices to be used in your reprinting or recording of the requested works. All licenses must be obtained prior to reprinting.

Guide to copyright and licensing

Many older songs and hymns have now become part of public domain, meaning that they can be used freely without risk of copyright infringement. However, if not in the public domain, whether the works are religious songs or secular songs, users will need a license for music. Users will also need a license to copy lyrics or to print songs. Obtaining permissions for music can seem daunting. But we're here to make it easier!

A copyright is an intellectual property that belongs to a copyright holder. Only the copyright holder or administrator of that copyright has the legal right to use the work, or to allow someone else to do so. "Church copyright law" or "Christian copyright law" is no different than copyrights for secular music. All creative works are protected under federal copyright law, and all institutions are forced to comply with the laws regarding the use of song lyrics and song sheets, along with the printing and copying of said music.

A person wishing to use copyrighted material must secure permission from the copyright owners or the administrators of the copyright. This source can be determined by looking at the copyright information usually appearing below the work — generally a copyright symbol (©), a year, and the name of the copyright holder (often songwriter, music creator, composer or artist) or administrator.

OCP makes it easy for you, the music user, to obtain reprint permissions and usage rights for our quality music. Music supervisors, worship leaders and church musicians can use music licensed through our site for a variety of purposes, including music performances, radio and motion picture. Access to sheet music, audio files and other parts of copyrighted music are made available for congregational singing and are charged depending on the institution, the average weekly attendance, types of licensing, etc. However, these permissions do not allow for music distribution and music obtained through OCP may not be reprinted for personal use or sold to a third party.

We also offer our quality music in the form of digital libraries, available with an annual subscription fee as opposed to multiple license fees. A music library's goal is to offer the music user seemingly unlimited music without the risk of copyright infringement. You'll find music from entire resources, complete with digital octavos, instrument parts and audio files.

Please fill out the form, outlining the type of license you wish to obtain, and one of our copyright experts will contact you shortly.