Video screening policies

Can I show a film in the class I’m teaching?

Showing videos in the classroom for educational purposes is allowed if the following conditions are met:

• It's part of instruction for a face-to-face class
• It takes place in a classroom or "similar place devoted to instruction"
• For videos and other audiovisual works, the copy of the work was legally obtained (i.e. the copy wasn't pirated or bootlegged)

If you are planning to show a video for anything other than instructional purposes, you most likely will need public performance rights (PPR).

Learn more about streaming video for course use

What is a public performance?

Under U.S. copyright law, it is a copyright holder’s exclusive right to publicly perform their work. The legal definition of public performance may surprise you because it is easy to meet! A public performance is either:

• a performance at a place open to the public or “at any place where a substantial number of persons outside of a normal circle of a family and its social acquaintances is gathered”; or
• a transmission to the public, to a place open to the public, or to “any place where a substantial number of persons outside of a normal circle of a family and its social acquaintances is gathered,” regardless of whether people receive the performance in the same place or in different places, at the same time or at different times.

When are public performance rights (PPR) needed?

People who do not own copyright need to arrange for rights to screen a video publicly. While copyright law has some special rules for using video in teaching, other public performances, such as screenings for public outreach, extracurricular enrichment, and social events require PPR.

Do the University of Nevada, Reno, Libraries purchase films with Public Performance Rights?

Due to the extra cost the library usually does not purchase films with PPR. There are a limited number of films that may have been purchased or received with PPR; please contact the Libraries’ video team if you have questions. Films with PPR may be screened to the public so long as the screening is free. These are the exception rather than the rule. Major studios (Sony and Columbia) do not sell DVDs with PPR. 

How can one obtain PPR?

A limited number of videos (primarily documentaries) in the University Libraries’ collections have PPR but most do not.  Please contact the Libraries’ video team to inquire whether a title in library collection has PPR. Kanopy allows PPR for some films for academic events that are not promoted to the general public, and has a filter to find films with PPR.

If not, it is your responsibility to acquire them. Here are tips.  

Large studios are represented by licensing services that you can contact to arrange the PPR for your viewing. Costs vary according to variables such as audience size, number of screenings, whether admission is charged, and release date of the title. So try to gather as many details as possible before seeking PPR. Also, please seek PPR well in advance of your screening. A licensing service may mail you a DVD of the film, for example, so please allow enough time for that. These major licensing services might get you started.

• SWANK represents major studios including Warner Bros., MGM, Lionsgate, Miramax, Disney, Paramount, Sony Pictures, DreamWorks, STX Entertainment, Focus Features, Summit Entertainment, Columbia Pictures, Tristar Pictures, New Line Cinema, NBC Universal, Bleeker Street, HBO, Discovery, Screen Gems, and more.
• Criterion Pictures represents 20th Century Studios, Searchlight Pictures, National Geographic, and others.
• Kino Lorber represents a variety of art house, classic, and documentary studios. 

You may have to contact smaller rights holders directly to seek PPR. Some independent filmmakers may not be accustomed to licensing for nonprofit, educational uses, so be prepared to explain the nature of your event.