Computer software copyright laws seem confusing. We hear of legitimate ways to share software with friends and colleagues. We've even heard some software referred to as shareware! What are the rules? Can we share software without violating the law?

Many conscientious administrators are considering video inventories as a good method of cataloging their organization's physical assets. While we applaud their conscientious approach in having a back-up record in case of disaster, our research has uncovered some surprising information!

The US Post Office requires a minimum number of pieces to qualify for 3rd Class Bulk Mail rates. According to Bruce McClure, a US Post Office Second Class Specialist, you can group together smaller mailings that together total the minimum number of pieces and thus qualify for the bulk rate.

Many churches have vehicle fleets. They facilitate ministry, neighborhood outreach, and are often overseen by a volunteer; so they're reasonably inexpensive. But the hidden costs due to recent law changes and potential litigation suggest we might be wise stewards to rethink this facet of our ministry.

Rich Hammar, editor of Church Law Tax Report and author of The Church Guide to Copyright Law, recently said Most if not all churches violate copyright law, some more than others. Another expert in this field, Rick Campanelli of Gammon Grange, PC, said, They might be surprised to realize it, but they are taking other people's property, and breaking the law. Whether it's sharing software among multiple computers, distributing copies of a written work among staff or committee members, or showing videos in a classroom setting, these are all protected under copyright legislation. The good news is that doing so legally is often easy and inexpensive! Let's look together at the issues and solutions to bring our ministries into copyright compliance.