Congregations who previously purchased an annual video license through the Alberta and Northwest Conference Office, are now able to access a license through the Edge Office in Etobicoke, Ontario. Deadline to mail payment: December 7, 2018. Details are below.
By Alexandra Belaskie, Edge Staff
If you have directly received an invoice from a video licensing company for 2018, please disregard this, as invoices will come directly from the EDGE office.
The Program
EDGE is pleased to offer you the opportunity to obtain a Public Performance Video License at great cost savings for your church! If you were to go directly it would cost you a minimum of $300 to secure a license. But with the group savings, the average church only needs to spend $75 – $150.
We have negotiated a video licensing agreement with Criterion Pictures and Audio Cine Films (ACF) Inc. who represent most of the major distributors including Paramount, Universal, Alliance Atlantis, New Line Cinema, Miramax, Disney, Veggie Tales and many, many more!
There are many creative ways that you can use films in your congregation – legally!
– During worship
– Fundraisers
– Family nights
– Youth group events
– Education programs
It is our hope that the availability of this licensing arrangement will be one more tool that supports your ministries in creative and just ways.
Why Do We Need A Public Performance License?
You need a public performance license:
– If you show movies or clips from movies/TV programs for public viewing (unless you are showing ‘live-fee’ YouTube material)
– Public viewing includes every time your show a video in the church building during programming or worship or fundraising
– It doesn’t matter whether you own or rent the movie/clip
The Canadian Copyright Act applies in all cases, even if films are personally owned, brought in from outside sources, obtained from rental outlets, or purchased in retail stores. It applies if films are shown freely, partially, or to small groups, for educational or fundraising purposes. Additional information concerning copyright can be obtained from the Copyright Board of Canada at http://www.cb-cda.gc.ca
Summary: Without a public performance license you are breaking current copyright laws.
Criterion Pictures Includes:
– Warner Brothers
– Artisan Entertainment
– Alliance Films Inc.
– Big Idea, Inc. (Veggie Tales)
– 20th Century Fox
– Fine Line Features
– Focus Features
– Odeon Films
– Miramax Films
– USA Films
– New Line Cinema
– Fox Searchlight
– Sony Pictures Classics
– Paramount Pictures
– Nelvana
– DreamWorks SKG
– Lucas Films
– And more
Audio Cine Films Inc. Includes:
– Walt Disney Pictures
– Touchstone Pictures
– Hollywood Pictures
– Christal Films
– Columbia Pictures
– Equinoxe Films
– Orion Pictures
– Pixar Animation Studios
– Sony Pictures Entertainment
– United Artists
– MGM Studios
– Universal Studios Canada (plus others)
The Cost
The combined cost for both companies to cover congregations in Canada is $1.50 per person plus GST based on average Sunday attendance as reported on the 2017 Statistical Return Forms filed with the United Church of Canada. The license will be effective from January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019. EDGE handles the administration to keep the costs low. Please be sure to calculate your fees using the appropriate percentage of HST depending on where you are located.
Example of 60 people on Sundays:
60 x $1.50 = $90.00 + 5% GST (Alberta) = $94.50
Signing Up
Step 1: Application Form. Video Licensing Application- Alberta Jan 19-Dec 19
If you are interested in registering your congregation for a Public Performance License, then please send your completed application form (download above) to Alexandra Belaskie (abelaskie@united-church.ca).
Step 2: Payment. Please make your cheque payable to The United Church of Canada with the memo: EDGE. This should be mailed to:
The United Church of Canada
3250 Bloor Street West, Suite 200
Toronto, ON
ATTN: Alexandra Belaskie
All applications are to be returned to the General Council office as soon as you can. Please be sure it is in the mail prior to Friday, December 7th, 2018.
Upon payment of your licensing fee with the application as above, your licensing agreement will be in effect as of January 1, 2019. After submitting your application, I will send you the reporting information directly in December. All reporting can be done online.