Video Screening & Performance Rights
Topics Covered
- About Video Screening
- Classroom Showings
- Online Teaching (HuskyCT)
- Public Performance
- Obtaining Performance Rights
About Video Screening
Screening video recordings (what the law calls, “performance or display”) is among the rights reserved for copyright owners or holders. However, exemptions exist in Section 110 of U.S. Copyright Law for instructors who wish to screen videos under certain circumstances. In addition, public performance rights can be granted which allow for display in other venues.
Classroom Showings
Classroom showings are permitted when all of the following criteria are met:
• The class is taught at a non-profit educational institution;
• The film/audiovisual material is shown in a face-to-face teaching situation;
• The film/audiovisual material is related to the course;
• The film/audiovisual material is shown in a classroom or other designated teaching space; and
• The film/audiovisual material is acquired legally (e.g., purchased, rented, or borrowed from the library).
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Online Teaching (HuskyCT)
Section 110 of U.S. Copyright Law allows transmission of some materials to support true distance or online instruction that replaces regular classroom instruction (whether live or completed at the student’s pace). Online showings, including showings made via HuskyCT, are permitted when all of the following criteria are met:
• The class is taught at a non-profit educational institution;
• The film/audiovisual material is related to the course;
• The film/audiovisual material is acquired legally (e.g., purchased or licensed);
• The use of film is comparable to the amount that is typically displayed in the course of a live classroom session;
• The film/audiovisual material is displayed at the direction, or under the supervision of the instructor;
• The transmission or display is directly related to the teaching content;
• The transmission or display is solely available to the students officially enrolled in the course, to the extent technologically feasible;
• The educational institution has clear copyright policies and provide copyright guidelines to faculty, students and staff (see University Policies e-Library); and
• The educational institution applies reasonable technological measures to prevent viewers from retaining or downloading a copy of the work, or transmitting the work to others.
Section 1201 of U.S. Copyright Law prohibits the circumvention of encryption or other technological measures applied to copyrighted works, regardless of whether the intended use would be a fair use. An exemption was established by the Copyright Office for film studies professors to create compilations or clips of encrypted films, for their use in a classroom setting. This exemption is set to expire on October 27, 2009.
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Public Performance
To perform or display a work “publicly” means showing it at a place where it can be viewed by more than one’s immediate family and friends; whether or not everyone views it at the same place or at the same time.
Examples may include:
• Showing a film on HuskyVision
• Showing a film in the Union Theater
• Showing a film as a part of a campus event (University-sponsored, club-sponsored, etc.)
Private copies of films, whether purchased or rented do not carry public performance rights. Even films shown for free and for educational purposes (to educate the campus community about a political or other issue, for example) usually require you to obtain a Public Performance License if they are screened outside the context of a specific course.
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Obtaining Performance Rights
The UConn Libraries have purchased a number of video recordings which include public performance rights. This information is often found in the video’s record in HOMER. (link to an example from HOMER). If you’re unsure, please contact a librarian at (860) 486-2513, or online.
- For HuskyVision (the Res Life Movie Channel), find information and contact numbers at http://moviechannel.reslife.uconn.edu/index.cfm.
- Public Performance Rights may also be obtained directly film vendors/distributors:
- SONY CLASSICS films almost always go through New Yorker. Contact New Yorker Films at 1-212-645-4600. You can browse available titles or review their FAQ About Public Performance Rights
- FOX films go through Criterion USA. Contact: Criterion Pictures USA at 1-800-890-9494. Their Web site gives detailed instructions for “renting” films for performance.
- Most other studio titles go through Swank. Contact: Swank Motion Pictures at 1-800-876-5577.