Pre-recorded home videocassettes and DVDs ('Videos') that are available for rental or purchase include the right to exhibit the movie for home use only. These motion pictures do not include a license for showing outside one's home. If you wish to show movies for any other use or in any other place, you must have a SEPARATE license which specifically authorizes such use.
These simple and straightforward rules are detailed in the federal Copyright Act, as amended, Title 17 of the United States Code. According to The Copyright Act, only the copyright owner holds the exclusive right, among others, "to perform the copyrighted work publicly." (Section 106)
Exception: If you are playing a film from Kanopy, to a strictly OSU audience (meaning students/faculty/staff, but no community members), then you can hold a larger screening of a movie from this platform without specific written permission. More details are available through OSU Libraries.
Please do not hesitate to call us at (800) 462-8855 or send us an email to info@mplc.com with any questions about the U.S. Copyright Law.
In summary, the Copyright Act mandates:
Yes. The location requires a license regardless of who owns the Video. While you may own the actual video, you are only granted the right to view it in your home, not to perform it in public.
Yes. Regardless of whether an admission fee is charged, a license is required. However, the Umbrella License® covers only those situations where admission is not charged.
Yes. Under the law, it does not matter if you are a non-profit or for-profit organization. You are required to have a public performance license to show Videos.
In most cases, the MPLC has set license fees based on the type and size of facility. However, if the facility and/or use falls outside of these categories we will determine a reasonably priced license fee within your organization's means based on the nature and size of the audience and anticipated frequency of showings.
No. The educational exemption is narrowly defined and applies to non-profit academic institutions only.
Yes. The Copyright Act provides that closed-circuit transmissions are automatically deemed public performances.
Yes. Any location outside of the home is considered public for copyright purposes and requires a license.