Are you planning to show a film at a campus event, educational program, or other meeting?
If so, you may need to obtain Public Performance Rights (PPR).
If so, you may need to obtain Public Performance Rights (PPR).
What are Public Performance Rights (PPR)?
- PPR allows a film to be shown publicly, for instance showing a film as a campus event.
- Almost all films are protected by copyright, and § 106(5) of the Copyright Act grants to copyright owners the exclusive right to perform the copyrighted work publicly.
- The statutory definition of a public performance is one "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." (§ 101)
- The Copyright Act contains a specific exception that allows viewing films as part of classroom teaching, so PPR are not required if the "performance or display [is] in the course of face-to-face teaching activities of a nonprofit educational institution, in a classroom or similar place devoted to instruction" as long as the copy being shown was lawfully made. (§ 110).
| When do I need Public Performance Rights? | When do I not need Public Performance Rights? |
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Does the Library's DVD collection have public performance rights?
- Not all of the films in the library collection have PPR; most do not. Those with PPR are typically documentaries or educational films. (See titles)
- Kanopy
"Kanopy videos can be watched by any and all authorized viewers (i.e. members of the Emmanuel Community), whether in a group or individual viewing context without obtaining a PPR license as long as there is no commercial benefit. - See Resources tab for further details.
How can I get public performance rights for a screening on campus?
- Individuals and organizations are responsible for obtaining performance rights for all publicly screened media. See Resources tab for further details on companies that specialize in obtaining PPR such as Swank.
- For some films, you may need to contact the producer or distributor directly. Finding the rights holders and securing PPR for foreign films, independent films, and older films may be difficult or impossible. Contact Diane Zydlewski (zydlewsd@emmanuel.edu) if you have questions.
Adapted from Georgetown University Library's Public Performance Rights guide.
Diane Zydlewski
Associate Librarian for Reference, Instruction, and Outreach
zydlewsd@emmanuel.edu | 617-735-9927
https://zydlewsd.youcanbook.me/
Anne Hancock
Associate Librarian for Collection Strategies and Curriculum Integration
hancoan@emmanuel.edu | 617-975-9410
Associate Librarian for Reference, Instruction, and Outreach
zydlewsd@emmanuel.edu | 617-735-9927
https://zydlewsd.youcanbook.me/
Anne Hancock
Associate Librarian for Collection Strategies and Curriculum Integration
hancoan@emmanuel.edu | 617-975-9410
- Emmanuel-owned films with PPR
- Kanopy
"Kanopy videos can be watched by any and all authorized viewers (i.e. members of the Emmanuel Community), whether in a group or individual viewing context without obtaining a PPR license as long as there is no commercial benefit.
Some Netflix films are available for educational screenings.
- See details concerning documentaries available for Educational Screenings
- Search of Netflix documentaries available for Educational Screenings
- The library does not have a subscription to Netflix, so you need to use a personal account.
- All other Netflix films are subject to their standard terms of use:
"The Netflix service and any content viewed through our service are for your personal and non-commercial use only and may not be shared with individuals beyond your household. During your Netflix membership, we grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access the Netflix service and view Netflix content through the service. Except for the foregoing, no right, title or interest shall be transferred to you. You agree not to use the service for public performances" (Netflix Terms of Use).
