Video Collections Librarian
Public Performance Rights
Do I need to pay for a license to show a movie?
Unless you show the film "in the course of face-to-face teaching activities ... in a classroom*" or at home to family and friends, then you most likely do need to purchase a public performance license.
Federal copyright law (especially Title 17 Section 110 of the U.S. Code) determines how copyrighted materials, such as movies, may be used. Ownership of a copy of a film does not include the right to show it publicly. You are permitted to show it at home with family and friends or as part of course instruction in a face-to-face classroom setting at a non-profit educational institution. Most other circumstances require a public performance license. This requirement applies whether or not a few or many people will be in attendance, whether or not admission is charged, whether or not the group or institution showing the film is commercial or non-profit, and whether or not a government agency is involved.
Examples of public performances include:
• movie nights sponsored by student clubs, residence halls, CIOs, or other groups
• film festivals
• films shown during on-Grounds meetings, programs, events, and some lectures.
Where can I get a public performance license?
There are distribution companies that sell these licenses. Most feature films may be licensed through either Swank or Criterion Pictures. If these companies do not offer a license for the film you want to show, then please consult the Video Collections Librarian. It's entirely possible that public performance rights are not available.
Do movies available through UVA Library have public performance rights?
Most do not. The library does hold some films that come with public performance rights--they are mostly documentaries. Ask the Video Collections Librarian for assistance in finding these films.
Once I buy a public performance license, can I show the film whenever or wherever I want?
No, the license entails that you show the specified film on the specified day at the specified place to the specified number of people. These details must be provided to the licensing company in order to secure public performance rights.
Who is responsible for obtaining and paying for the license?
The person or group hosting the viewing event is responsible for licensing and payment. The venue or place where the showing is held is not responsible. For example, a student club or organization (CIO) wishing to show a film to its members is responsible for obtaining and paying for the license, not the theater or university.
How much do public performance licenses cost?
They usually run between $300 to $3,000 depending on the expected attendance, the location, and whether admission is free or not.
Will I get into trouble if I show a film without obtaining public performance rights?
Be aware that willful infringement of copyright law is a federal crime carrying a maximum sentence of up to five years in jail and/or as much as $150,000 in fines.
What about movies on Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, Paramount+, and others?
Subscription video streaming services for individuals like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, Paramount+, and others only allow individual viewing per the user agreement made by subscribers. Videos that are exclusive to these streaming providers are not eligible for public performance. Videos that are available through these providers but are not exclusive might be eligible for public performance through a different distributor.