Question 1

Which organizations are behind the Church Video License?

Accepted Answer

The Church Video License and CVLI Vault are provided by CVLI (Christian Video Licensing International), in partnership with 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

Who handles the rights in Denmark?

Accepted Answer

In short, when it comes to churches and church organizations, CVLI Denmark handles film rights – Tekstognode handles the written rights, Copydan handles the use of TV and radio content, and Koda handles the public performance of music.

Question 4

What is the price?

Accepted Answer

The price is based on the size of the average attendance at the church each week. It is not based on the number of people who may watch the film or film content.

All main activities must be counted. The film companies have wanted it to be simple to understand where the films can be used, and the price for the license is set in relation to this count. If there are several activities, meetings or church services during the week, the total average must be used as the basis for the calculation.

Main activities are the high mass (not Christmas, Easter, etc. or other special services - use the count of altar guests if necessary), confirmations, junior and mini-confirmations (remember that they are only calculated at 50% or however long in a year there are activities for them), choir work which is not a regular part of the high mass - etc. But for example parish afternoons and film club are not main activities and are not counted.

Examples:

On Sundays, an average of 50 people come to church, there are 20 confirmation candidates and 10 mini confirmation candidates, which gives an average weekly participation of 15 more. A total of 65.
Or an association with adult work 40 participants, youth 20 and children 10 - a total of 70 participants.

Click here for 2026 prices.

Question 5

How often do I pay?

Accepted Answer

Payment is made once a year. The agreement can always be terminated with 60 days' notice before the agreement expires. The agreement can also be changed at any time, after which a proportional license is calculated. A few months before expiration, a license renewal is sent.

Question 6

Who will get the money?

Accepted Answer

The agreement is with the film companies, and the majority of the license payment goes to the film companies, who can thus produce more films.

Question 7

Are there any restrictions?

Accepted Answer

The license does not allow for payment to be charged for attendance or where the film screening is advertised in public media or places. The license does not cover films copied from another source or recorded from television, nor does it permit charging an admission fee or screening films where the event is advertised in public media or public venues.

Question 8

Are there any alternatives to the license?

Accepted Answer

It is possible to license an individual movie from time to time with the same rights, but it will be more expensive and more cumbersome. The easiest and cheapest way to legally use film content is with a Church Video License.

Question 9

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 10

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 11

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 12

What about Confirmation education?

Accepted Answer

Under the Danish Copyright Act, section 21, paragraphs 1 and 2, and the book 'Copyright Act with Comments', pages 176-181, permission is required for confirmation teaching, mini-confirmation teaching and teaching in the children's clubs. The Church Video License offer gives you coverage if Confirmation classes are held outside the priest's home – e.g. church building, if confirmation candidates from several different school classes/schools participate, or if one or more teachers participate in addition to the priest

And, if you purchase a license for confirmation and mini-confirmation, you can also use films in in all areas of your church ministry.

Question 13

What about schools?

Accepted Answer

Because members of CFU have limited options with approximately 300 specific films, more than 80% have signed a license to ensure they are acting legally however they are using films.

Question 14

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 15

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 16

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 17

Doesn’t the Ministry of Culture say a license is not needed?

Accepted Answer

Both yes and no – they write 'probably' and 'maybe'. … and that there may be rights that require special permission or license. That's exactly where we step in and secure the church's work with films for confirmation education.

Question 18

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 19

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 20

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 21

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 22

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 23

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 24

Which films can I use?

Accepted Answer

Almost all films on the Danish market are included in the agreement. This is also reflected in the license payment. But for those who join the license, there are no increases when more film companies join.

There are many suggestions for films at www.filmogtro.dk and www.kirkeogfilm.dk And you also have free access to the CVLI Vault where you can see film clips divided into topics and related to Bible verses. See your welcome email, or contact us for access.

Question 25

Where can you use/show the films?

Accepted Answer

The license is given to the church/organization's premises. If you occasionally want to host an event to another location, please contact us.

Question 26

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 27

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 28

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 29

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 30

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 31

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 32

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 33

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 34

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

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About the License

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Using the License

What you can and can’t do

About the CVLI Vault