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Copyright: Streaming Films

This guide provides an introduction to copyright.

Showing Videos in Class and on Campus

When you're using a film, video, or TV program in a classroom for teaching or educational purposes, such performance or display of the entire work may be allowed without permission under the face to face teaching exemption at 17 U.S.C. §110(1).

When showing a film in an online class, it may be considered fair use depending on how much of the film is being shown and for what purposes. If fair use does not apply, you will need a streaming license or view the film through a licensed streaming film provider.

When showing films at a group or club activity, or as a training exercise, you have to consider the rights of the those who own the copyright to the work you want to use. This consideration must be made regardless of who owns the video or where you obtained it. Copyright owners have certain rights, which are commonly known as public performance rights (PPR).

If you are a member of a student group or part of a staff sponsored event open to the public. You may obtain public performance rights (PPR) by emailing your request to Sandra Brown. She can assist you with finding licensing and pricing information.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Classroom Use of Films

Public performances of a video/DVD in the face-to-face classroom is an exception to the public performance right §110 (1) and therefore lawful. The following conditions apply:

  • The teaching activities are conducted by a non-profit education institution
  • The performance is in connection with face-to-face teaching activities.
  • The performance takes place in a classroom or similar place devoted to instruction.
  • The person responsible for the performance has no reason to believe that the videotape was unlawfully made.

     

Best Practices for Avoiding Copyright Infringement

A few strategies that can help you avoid copyright infringement when showing videos in your online class include:

  1. Use only the portion necessary to support your pedagogy. Showing an entire work weighs against fair use, but may be necessary.
  2. If it is necessary to show the entire work, it is advisable to first get permission from the rights holder and/or ask the library to purchase a copy with public performing rights.
  3. Include discussion & commentary at appropriate points during the program rather than only at the conclusion.
  4. Provide secure/password protected access to the streaming link to registered students, for example via Blackboard.
  5. Do not record the session.

Motion Picture Licensing

The library databases contain licensed streaming videos that can be viewed on or off campus:

Alexander Street – thousands of videos covering topics such as counseling and therapy, education, opera, and ethnography

Criterion Pictures USA  – streaming service featuring a mix of classic and contemporary films from Hollywood and around the world

Swank Digital Campus  – includes popular and classic films. Can be used to support curriculum but PPR is not included.  

Films on Demand – unlimited access to instructional videos, educational films and documentaries

Kanopy– contemporary independent films and award winning documentaries to international films and educational videos

Kino Lorber -world cinema streaming service including European, Asian, Silent, documentary and American Independent titles

Netflix Educational Documentaries –

To obtain streaming licenses for instructional purposes, contact Sandra Brown in the Lee College library.