KOMCA and Bundang Torch Church Reach First Agreement on Use of Music Works in Religious Facilities

Copyright Protection Campaign in Collaboration with Local Churches

Ishiha (left), Chairman of the Korea Music Copyright Association, and Jaehee Lee, Senior Pastor of Bundang Torch Church, pose for a commemorative photo after signing the music copyright usage agreement on the 27th at the KMCA in Gangseo-gu, Seoul. Provided by KMCA

The Korea Music Copyright Association announced on May 28 that it has signed an agreement with Bundang Torch Church regarding the use of music works.

On May 27, the Copyright Association held a signing ceremony with Bundang Torch Church at its headquarters in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, and presented the "KOMCA Partner Facility" certification plaque.

Under this agreement, Bundang Torch Church will submit records of music works used at various church events, including worship services, to the Copyright Association. This marks the first time a church has voluntarily submitted details on its use of music works.

Although the need to protect music copyrights at religious facilities has been consistently raised, it has been difficult to establish a system to manage actual usage records. The Copyright Association will support the church by providing relevant forms to facilitate the submission of usage information.

Bundang Torch Church plans to run copyright protection campaigns in connection with local church organizations such as the Seongnam Christian Council. The church also aims to spread copyright protection culture to other churches.

Ishiha, Chairman of the Copyright Association, stated, "Music used in religious facilities is also a cultural asset created by the rights of creators," and added, "We will create a cooperative environment by developing collaboration measures that consider the characteristics of religious facilities."

Jaehui Lee, Senior Pastor of Bundang Torch Church, said, "Protecting copyright is an act of respecting creators," and stressed, "Safeguarding the rights of lyricists and composers whose works are used in worship is also a mission that the church should undertake."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.