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RETIRED - Copyright: Movies

This web site is intended to provide information and resources for the University of Northern Colorado community on copyright and issues surrounding copyright. The Libraries is continuing to develop the web site as a service to the campus community.

This guide has been retired and replaced.

Please visit the updated Copyright Guide at https://libguides.unco.edu/copyright

Obtaining Performance Rights

Q. How do I obtain Public Performance Rights to show a copyrighted film in a public setting?

A. Contact one of these companies to obtain permission:

Movies

Q. What are Public Performance Rights?  

A. Public Performance Rights are the legal rights to publicly show a video.  Under copyright law, the copyright holder has the exclusive rights to publicly display the work. Often, a movie distributor manages these rights. You must have authorization from the copyright holder or distributor in order to publicly exhibit a video. 

Q. But what about movie showings for educational purposes—aren’t they excepted from this requirement? 

A. The exception to this rule is the screening of a video in conjunction with face-to-face classroom teaching activities.  The following criteria must be met: 

  • The class is taught at a non-profit educational institution;
  • The video is shown in a face-to-face teaching situation;
  • The video is related to the course;
  • The video is shown in a classroom or other designated teaching space; and
  • The video is acquired legally (e.g., purchased, rented, or borrowed from the library).

Showing media to groups outside of this strictly-defined classroom context without first obtaining Public Performance Rights could be a violation of copyright law. 

Q. Do the videos in the Universities Libraries’ collection include Public Performance Rights?

A.  Many of the videos available for checkout at UNC Libraries do not include Public Performance Rights.  However, some of the distributors of our educational videos do include Public Performance Rights in the purchase price.  These distributors include but are not limited to Bullfrog Films, California Newsreel, Cinema Guild, Filmakers Library, Films for the Humanities & Sciences (Films Media Group), Icarus Films, National Film Board of Canada, New Day Films, and Women Make Movies.  Contact Jessica Hayden to determine whether the library copy includes Public Performance Rights.

Q.  How do I obtain Public Performance Rights to show a copyrighted film in a public setting?

A.  Contact one of these companies to obtain permission:

Copyright