When you purchase an ebook (epub or Kindle file), you are purchasing a licence for one person. That person may store and display the ebook on as many electronic devices as they wish (computer, tablet, phone, book reader, etc.) as long as each device is owned by them for personal use.

When you purchase a resource as a downloadable file (a PDF or Word document), you are purchasing a licence to print a copy for, or to distribute the file to, one person for their use. Generally speaking, that person will be you.

Not paying appropriately for the use of study material undermines our ability to fund our ministry and the development of new studies. We also believe that people having their own copy is a better option for their learning: you can encourage them to prepare in advance, take notes, write down answers, and review what they have learnt after the group study time.

The file must not be placed on a publicly accessible (open) server or file sharing service for distribution. Access must be restricted to those in the group you are buying a licence for, and either the number of downloads must be tracked and paid for, or a licence paid for every person who has access to the server.

You can’t re-sell the resources you download to other people. All distribution of resources must be on a non-commercial basis. However, it is fine to collect a reasonable fee from group members to help cover the cost of printing and/or the cost of the licence.

Please do not remove copyright and licence information notices, and please do your best to ensure those who receive copies understand that they are not free to make unlicensed copies.

Some resources are supplied as Microsoft Word files. You can make changes to the Word files, but please be sensible. Minor modifications may be made to these files in order to suit a particular purpose or context (e.g. reformatting, adding a church logo or an extra application question relating to an aspect of church life, changing the order of the studies, etc.), but no changes are permitted that alter the theological content and integrity of the material. The copyright and licence information must also always be retained in any modified file.

If you’re not sure what to do (e.g. in a situation you think is ambiguous or not covered by this information), just apply the Golden Rule: do what you think you would say is fair and reasonable if you were in our shoes. And of course, always feel free just to get in touch and ask.

The law of copyright, and the legal protection it gives to authors and publishers, has always been designed to create an environment that encourages the creation and distribution of artistic and literary works for all of us to enjoy and benefit from. In the end, this is really just a way of expressing the biblical principle that the worker deserves his wages (1 Tim 5:18).

Thank you!