LibGuides: Copyright & Intellectual Property: Use of Movies/Music

Public Performance Rights (PPR)

Whether on VHS, CD-ROM, DVD, or other formats, films are subject to copyright protection. Videotaping and digitizing such protected work is against the copyright law. Media producers or distributors manage not only the copyright, but also Public Performance Rights (PPR), the legal rights to show a film to audiences.

There is no need to pay for the public performance license if a professor is showing a film to officially registered students in a face-to-face classroom as long as the content of the film is directly related to the course. This exemption is explained in the Copyright Law of the United States of America: § 110. Limitations on exclusive rights: Exemption of certain performances and displays
Distributors of educational or documentary films typically sell their films with PPR (consequently, the hefty price tag!). In those cases, the library's catalog records for the particular films indicate “Includes Public Performance Rights” in the note field. For these films, paying for the public performance license is unnecessary.
On the other hand, obtaining PPR is necessary for all other screenings of copyrighted films to audiences outside of the regular curriculum (e.g. extracurricular events, film series, and student club events). To obtain public performance rights, Swank Motion Pictures may be contacted.

Streaming Media Databases & PPR

Educational Documentaries | Netflix's YouTube Playlist
More information and supplemental educational resources are found here.

Academic Video Online (AVON) This link opens in a new window
This database provides award-winning documentaries with relevance across the curriculum. It presents historical and current experiences from diverse cultures and traditions world-wide.
Terms and Conditions
"Audio and Video files are delivered to Customer and its Authorized Users via streaming service over the Internet. Customer and its Authorized Users shall not download or otherwise copy the streaming videos or audio contained in the Service. In the case of content that can potentially be publicly performed, Customer must secure permission from ProQuest’s Licensor and/or the copyright holder for any public performance other than reasonable classroom and educational uses."
Docuseek This link opens in a new window
Digital Rights License Agreement
"A performance of a program in classrooms or other related venues, for audiences of more than one person, conducted without charging admission. In this context, programs may be shown by any means that do not require digitization, transfer, alteration, duplication or reproduction."
Kanopy Streaming Films This link opens in a new window
Kanopy is a video streaming solution for colleges offering a broad selection of documentaries, feature films and training videos from producers all over the world.
"Viewing films in a group forum is permitted for all films for classroom viewings and most films for non-classroom group settings as long as the viewing is by authorized viewers and it is not for commercial benefit (i.e. no admission costs are charged and no profit is made from the screening). Please contact us direct and we will confirm if the film is available for a showing to a group forum."

Streaming Media: Your Personal Subscription/Account

While the U.S. copyright law 17 U.S.C. § 110(1) permits display of otherwise protected works in a not-for-profit classroom setting, the contracts underlying the service membership may prohibit the use of personal streaming accounts. Here are Terms of Use set by popular streaming media services:

Amazon Music
Amazon Prime Video
Apple Media
Max (HBO)
Hulu
Netflix
Netflix in particular allows educators to show some of their original documentaries. Please read Educational Screenings of Documentaries on their website for more details.
Pandora
ShowTime
Spotify