Malcolm Hawker heads up the Australasian branch of Christian Copyright Licensing (CCLI), an agency that helps Churches do the right thing with copyright each time they use a worship song and helps songwriters buy bread and milk each week. Malcolm has graciously agreed to answer a few questions here at in|view.
i|v // What drew you to the worship music genre?
Malcolm // For as long as I can remember I have had a love for music. Over the years I have had the opportunity to be involved in music teams and to lead worship services and keep up with all that is happening in the area of worship music.
i|v // You currently head up Christian Copyright Licensing (CCLI) for the Asia-Pacific region. What does CCLI do?
Malcolm // For over twenty years, CCLI has been actively serving churches by helping unravel the difficulties associated with copyright. We started out by providing permission to make copies of songs for a very small fee. Today, we not only help with copyright licensing but also provide valuable resources, such as our online sheet music resource called SongSelect, we also have ScreenVue giving access to movie clips, and CCLI TV providing access to worship music videos.
i|v // Why should we care about copyright?
Malcolm // The word copyright can evoke all kinds of reactions from people. Some will break out in a cold sweat, others have a great appreciation and value it and still others do not care so long as it doesn't affect them. Copyright is a part of everyday life - when we buy a book, painting, music, even a newspaper - the original content belongs to someone and they have a right to determine how that can be copied.
In general, we do not have the right to make copies without permission. There are some circumstances where copying is permissible but it is clearly spelt out in the Australian Copyright Act 1968. The Act helps protect the original work but still allows it to be used in appropriate ways.
CCLI provides licensing that covers that permission given under the Copyright Act and the licence fees are returned in royalties to the owners of the content. CCLI provides a way for song writers to receive payment for the use of their works and also protecting it from use outside of its original intent. It is a win-win situation; Churches do not have to seek permission every time they want to make copies and the song owner's work is protected.
i|v // How can someone get access to the countless number of songs represented by CCLI?
Malcolm // Our licenses cover copying of almost 200,000 songs and they can be accessed through our Song Search facility on our website. With an active licence, copying of the words and sheet music is permissible under the terms of agreement for the Church Copyright Licence and the Photocopy Licence.
i|v // What music do you most enjoy?
Malcolm // I am eclectic is taste of music, and generally enjoy many different styles but after a busy schedule I usually listen to the quieter, reflective music that is available.
i|v // What do you like to do to unwind?
Malcolm // If I am not travelling, my weekends are the times where I get to unwind, and it is usually involves a quiet Saturday morning with a coffee and newspaper.
i|v // What are some of the things that you are most grateful for?
Malcolm // My wife and three children they always put a smile on my face.
i|v // What changes have you noticed in worship music in the last ten years?
Malcolm // There has been a strong emphasis on the "I" in worship music and it has become very individual-focused, but there is a healthy shift to a place of community worship where the focus is on the collective worship of the community. They both have a valid place.
I have also noticed technology is changing in how we access and listen to music. CD sales are on the decline but the availability of worship music is in digital format is on the rise and more and more people are becoming lounge room publishers.