Copyright Information
Why Copyright Words About God?
Copyright infringement is illegal and it is a form of stealing sometimes including the bearing of false witness so it is against the ancient laws Moses brought down the mountain, also. There is no moral justification for Christians ripping off other Christians just because the topic is our faith story. "It is all for the Lord's work" means you should give your life savings for it, not steal it.
Someone who writes and thus "owns" a particular arrangement of words has created something as surely as if he or she had built a piece of furniture or created a quilt. She or he has honed this craft and made it useful and desirable to people. God probably already loves it. Words about spiritual things, and words for churches to use are created with God's grace, and are for the glory of God, just as are the pews, the windows, the hand bells and the organ. If the crafter, artist or musician cares to donate this work that is his or her offering to give. It is not free just because it is about God.
Using or copying words without permission from the author or publisher is stealing as surely as if the church had sent its property committee on a clandestine mission to steal pews from the furniture maker in the dark of night, because the pews are for church use. Just because we worship God and we have a copy machine does not make it alright to ignore the laws which protect the livelihood of composers and authors. It is our belief at Wild Grace that God knows that artistic works are of value, and the mission of Wild Grace includes guiding human beings to discover that inspired works are of value.
There is another reason why you must get permission for use, and Wild Grace material is not in the public domain. The dialogue with you, the user of the material, is welcome, inspirational and valuable to us. Even when we provide free materials and ideas, or when we price things low just to pay for the bare bones cost of production, by hearing how things are going we become better for it.
How Does Someone Get Permission to Use Copyrighted Materials?
Buy the scripts and materials we offer -- your purchase includes limited rights to perform, and produce copies needed for performance. Also you will help ensure the continuation of a creative ministry as well.
The other way to receive permission is to ask.
