I hereby take back my remarks earlier this month in which I called ICEL and the bishops “tyrannical.” The big publishers may be, but ICEL and the bishops have hammered out a very liberal policy concerning musical settings of the liturgical texts which are made available for free download: They will not be charging any royalties or flat fees for such services. This is a great victory, and it shows that ICEL and the bishops have a far more reasonable view of Intellectual Property than I had thus far given them credit for.
This decision effectively emancipates the creativity of composers everywhere who wish to make musical settings of the new translation of the liturgy. Anyone can now compose and publish; no one need gain the favor of one of the big publishers in order for his work to see the light of day. This ends a monopoly, and I hope it also begins an era of artistic renaissance.
Filed under: Catholicism, culture, liturgy, religion, Sacred Music Tagged: | Catholicism, copyright, intellectual property, liturgy, Sacred Music
[...] Lawrence concentrates on the artistic freedom angle of the matter, stating: This decision effectively emancipates the creativity of composers [...]