Copyrights and Your Rights an ACUI webinar Nov. 13, 2003 “PUBLIC PERFORMANCE” (from www.mpaa.org) Unauthorized public performances refer to situations where an institution or commercial establishment shows a tape or film to its members or customers without receiving permission from the copyright owner. This includes "public performances" where an admission fee is charged as well as those that are simply offered as an additional service of the establishment. "The Congress shall have power...To promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries..." Article I, Section 8, The United States Constitution “FAIR USE” (from www.movlic.com) In some instances, it is not required to obtain a Movie Copyright Compliance Site License when exhibiting copyrighted materials such as videocassettes or DVDs. This "face-to-face teaching exemption" applies only IF: A teacher is in attendance and the showing takes place in a classroom setting and the movie is used as an essential part of the current curriculum being taught. Examples of situations where a Movie Copyright Compliance Site License must be obtained are: public libraries, day-care facilities, and non-classroom entertainment movies being used at schools for after school activities. This legal requirement applies: Regardless of whether an admission fee is charged Whether the institution or organization is commercial or non-profit Whether a federal or state agency is involved WHAT THE LAW SAYS (from www.copyright.org) The Federal Copyright Act (Title 17 of the United Stated Code) governs how copyrighted materials,
Copyright and Your RightsNov. 13, 2003
“PUBLIC PERFORMANCE” (from www.mpaa.org)
Unauthorized public performances refer to situations where an
institution or commercial establishment shows a tape or film to its
members or customers without receiving permission from the
copyright owner. This includes "public performances" where an
admission fee is charged as well as those that are simply offered
as an additional service of the establishment.
"The Congress shall have power...To promote the progress of science
and useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors and
inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and
discoveries..." Article I, Section 8, The United States
Constitution
“FAIR USE” (from www.movlic.com)
In some instances, it is not required to obtain a Movie Copyright
Compliance Site License when exhibiting copyrighted materials such
as videocassettes or DVDs.
This "face-to-face teaching exemption" applies only IF: A teacher
is in attendance and the showing takes place in a classroom setting
and the movie is used as an essential part of the current
curriculum being taught.
Examples of situations where a Movie Copyright Compliance Site
License must be obtained are: public libraries, day-care
facilities, and non-classroom entertainment movies being used at
schools for after school activities. This legal requirement
applies: Regardless of whether an admission fee is charged Whether
the institution or organization is commercial or non-profit Whether
a federal or state agency is involved
WHAT THE LAW SAYS (from www.copyright.org)
The Federal Copyright Act (Title 17 of the United Stated Code)
governs how copyrighted materials,
such as movies, may be used. Neither the rental nor the purchase of
a videocassette carries with it the right to show the tape outside
the home.
In some instances no license is required to view a videotape, such
as inside the home by family or social acquaintances and in certain
narrowly defined face-to-face teaching activities.
Taverns, restaurants, private clubs, prisons, lodges, factories,
summer camps, public libraries, day-care facilities, parks and
recreation departments, churches and non-classroom use at schools
and universities are all examples of situations where a public
performance license must be obtained. This legal requirement
applies regardless of whether an admission fee is charged, whether
the institution or organization is commercial or non-profit, or
whether a federal or state agency is involved.
What Are "Public Performances"?
Suppose you invite a few personal friends over for dinner and a
movie. You purchase or rent a copy of a movie from the local video
store and view the film in your home that night. Have you violated
the copyright law by illegally "publicly performing" the movie?
Probably not.
But suppose you took the same videocassette and showed it at a club
or bar you happen to manage. In this case you have infringed the
copyright of the movie. Simply put, videocassettes obtained through
a video store are not licensed for exhibition. Home video means
just that: viewing of a movie at home by family or a close circle
of friends.
Penalties for Copyright Infringement
"Willful" infringement for commercial or financial gain is a
federal crime punishable as a misdemeanor, carrying a maximum
sentence of up to one year in jail and/or a $100,000 fine. Even
inadvertent infringers are subject to substantial civil damages,
ranging from $500 to $20,000 for each illegal showing.
How to Obtain a Public Performance License
Obtaining a public performance license is relatively easy and
usually requires no more than a phone call.
Fees are determined by such factors as the number of times a
particular movie is going to be shown, how large the audience will
be and so forth. While fees vary, they are generally inexpensive
for smaller performances. Most licensing fees are based on a
particular performance or set of performances for specified
films.
The major firms that handle these licenses include: Swank Motion
Pictures, Inc. Criterion Pictures USA Motion Picture Licensing
Corp.
Swank Motion Pictures (www.swank.com)
800-876-5577 800-890-9494 800-338-3870
Criterion Pictures (USA) (www.criterionpicusa.com)
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp Fox Searchlight New Line Cinema
Fine Line Features Artisan Entertainment Trimark Pictures New Latin
Pictures
Miramax Films Universal Studios DreamWorks Pictures
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer United Artists USA Films Lion’s Gate
Films
Aviva International ABC Pictures AVCO / Embassy DDL Films Selznick
International Troma Films The Films of John Waters (FileCard
Inc.)
Motion Picture Licensing Corporation (www.mplc.com)
By law, as well as by intent, the pre-recorded videocassettes and
DVDs ("Videos") which are available in stores throughout the United
States are for home use only -- unless you have a license to show
them elsewhere.
Rentals or purchases of Videos do not carry with them licenses for
non-home showings. Before you can legally engage in non-home
showings, you must have a separate license which specifically
authorizes such use.
These simple, straightforward rules are embodied in the federal
Copyright Act, as amended, Title 17 of the United States Code. Any
institution, organization, company or individual wishing to engage
in non-home showings of Videos should be aware of the Copyright
Act's provisions governing the showing of Videos, which are
highlighted below.
The Copyright Act grants to the copyright owner the exclusive
right, among others, "to perform the copyrighted work publicly."
(Section 106)
The rental or purchase of a Video does not carry with it the right
"to perform the copyrighted work publicly." (Section 202)
Videos may be shown without a license in the home to "a normal
circle of family and its social acquaintances" (Section 101)
because such showings are not "public."
Videos may also be shown without a license for non-profit
educational purposes and in certain narrowly defined "face-to-face
teaching activities" (Section 110.1) because the law makes a
specific, limited exception for such showings. (Sections 106 and
110(1))
Other showings of Videos are illegal unless they have been
authorized by license. Even "performances in 'semipublic' places
such as clubs, lodges, factories, summer camps and schools are
'public performances' subject to copyright control." (Senate Report
No. 94 473, page 60; House Report No. 94-1476, page 64)
Institutions, organizations, companies or individuals wishing to
engage in non-home showings of Videos must secure licenses to do so
-- regardless of whether an admission or other fee is charged. This
legal requirement applies equally to profit-making organizations
and non-profit institutions (Senate Report No. 94-473, page 59;
House Report No. 94 1476, page 62)
Showings of Videos without a license, when one is required, are
infringements of copyright. If done "willfully and for purposes of
commercial advantage or private financial gain," they are a federal
crime and subject to a $150,000 penalty per exhibition(Section
506).
In addition, even innocent or inadvertent infringers are subject to
substantial civil damages ($750 to $30,000 for each illegal
showing) and other penalties. (Sections 502 505)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. We own the Video, do we still need a license to view or show it
in public?
A. 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.
Q. We do not charge admission. Do we still need a license?
A. Yes. Regardless of whether an admission fee is charged, a
license is required.
Q. We are non-profit. Do we still need a license?
A. Yes. The legal requirement to obtain a license applies equally
to non-profit and for-profit organizations.
Q. We show Videos on our closed-circuit system. Do we need a
license?
A. Yes. The Copyright Act provides that closed-circuit
transmissions are automatically deemed public performances.
Q. We are not open to the general public. Do we still need a
license?
A. Yes. Any location outside of the home is considered public for
copyright purposes.
Q. We rent out our facility to other groups. Can we be liable for
copyright infringement?
A. Yes. The facility owner can be held vicariously liable or as a
"contributory infringer."
OTHER RESOURCES
Motion Picture, TV, and Theatre Directory: www.mpe.net
Many HBO documentary titles are available for educational use
through FILMS FOR THE HUMANITIES. Please visit their website at:
www.films.com
Licensing Contacts
AMP Agency Premiere film screenings 323-801-1350
www.ampagency.com
Criterion Pictures USA Non-theatrical film licensing 800-890-9494
www.criterionpicusa.com
First Run / Icarus Films Independent film licensing 718-488-8900
www.frif.com
Hogan Communications Premiere film screenings, Preview Theater
818-848-4876 www.hogancommunications.com
Kino International Independent film licensing 800-562-3330
www.kino.com
Les Films Criterion Non-theatrical film licensing (Canada)
800-565-1996 www.criterionpic.com
National Cinema Suppy Corp. Equipment and supplies 813-962-2772
www.ncsco.com
New Yorker Films Independent film licensing 212-645-4600
www.newyorkerfilms.com
Swank Motion Pictures Non-theatrical film licensing 800-876-5577
www.swank.com
Universal Studios Non-theatrical film licensing 818-777-1689
N/A
Villon Films Independent film licensing 604 879-6042
www.villonfilms.com
Wellspring Entertainment Independent film licensing 212-686-6777
www.wellspring.com/movies
Women Make Movies Independent film licensing 212-925-0606
www.wmm.com
Zeitgeist Films Independent film licensing 212-274-1989
www.zeitgeistfilms.com
Film Forum Independent distributor clearing house N/A
www.filmforum.com/distributor.html#usa
Intellectual Property Watchdog Website
http://www.ipwatchdog.com/index.html
Salt Lake City Community College Copyright Laws in Higher Education
www.slcc.edu/pln/copyright99.pdf
Groton Public Schools Copyright Resources on the Internet
http://www.groton.k12.ct.us/mts/pt2a8.htm
Open Directory Project
http://dmoz.org/Society/Issues/Intellectual_Property/Copyrights/
Copyright Website http://www.benedict.com/
-Gives quick explanations and definitions -Lists 5 film
distributors (most usually only list Swank) -Highlights details of
"teaching exception"
www.csbsju.edu/studentactivities/club_resources/face_to_face_exemption.htm
-This comes from a Student Activities site, and so has
"programming-specific" examples
www.musicunited.org
-Very easy-to-follow about music
The recording of this webinar will be available to you after the
end of the program. ACUI will send an e-mail with
instructions.
John Ginsburg, J.D.
Webster University
2
Agenda
Meet the presenters Technical notes Introduction to the topic
Comments from the presenters
Discussion / Q&A Resources
Indiana University– Bloomington
Trinity College
7
(e.g., books, music, movies).
Intellectual PropertyIntellectual Property
• Trademarks protect commercial designations of source for goods or
services (e.g. MCDONALDS, NIKE).
• Rights of publicity protect an individual’s name, likeness and
image used in a commercial manner (e.g., photo of James
Dean).
• Patents protect inventions and processes (formula for
Prozac).
8
BasicsBasics
9
When You DonWhen You Don’’t Need Permissiont Need Permission
• Fair use • Purpose of use • Nature of work • Amount of use •
Market effect
• First sale doctrine
• Exemptions for classroom teaching • In the course of face-to-face
teaching; • In a classroom or similar place; and • Directly related
to curriculum. 10
IssuesIssues
• Playing a CD or having a coffeehouse in a union most likely
requires licensing with ASCAP, BMI, SESAC.
• Public performance of copyrighted movies on a campus requires
licensing with Swank, Criterion, or other licensor.
• More will be raised with your questions!
11
Corbin Smyth
Public Performance A performance that does not occur in your home.
Unauthorized public performances refer to situations
where an institution or commercial establishment shows a tape or
film to its members or customers without receiving permission from
the copyright owner.
13
Corbin Smyth
Fair Use In some instances, it is not required to obtain a
Movie
Copyright Compliance Site License when exhibiting copyrighted
materials such as videocassettes or DVDs.
Face-to-face teaching exemption Applies only if a teacher is in
attendance AND the
showing takes place in a classroom setting AND the movie is used as
an essential part of the current curriculum being taught.
14
What the law says Taverns, restaurants, private clubs, prisons,
lodges,
factories, summer camps, public libraries, day-care facilities,
parks and recreation departments, churches and non-classroom use at
schools and universities are all examples of situations where a
public performance license must be obtained.
This legal requirement applies regardless of whether an admission
fee is charged, whether the institution or organization is
commercial or non-profit, or whether a federal or state agency is
involved.
15
Penalties for copyright infringement "Willful" infringement for
commercial or financial gain is
a federal crime punishable as a misdemeanor, carrying a maximum
sentence of up to one year in jail and/or a $100,000 fine.
Inadvertent infringers are subject to substantial civil damages,
ranging from $500 to $20,000 for each illegal showing.
16
Touchstone Pictures Universal Studios
Hollywood Pictures DreamWorks Pictures
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Criterion Pictures (USA) Twentieth Century
Fox Film Corp Fox Searchlight New Line Cinema Fine Line Features
Artisan Entertainment Trimark Pictures New Latin Pictures
Aviva International ABC Pictures AVCO / Embassy DDL Films Selznick
International Troma Films The Films of John
Waters (FileCard Inc.)
Trent Barber
End User License Agreements (EULA) Commercial (pay before you try)
Shareware (try it out, purchase a license if you keep) Freeware (no
cost to use, still copyrighted) Open Source Free software Public
domain (uncommon)
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21
Console-based games Playstation, X-BOX, etc. Same license
agreements apply There is no central clearinghouse for
licenses
Gamerooms This application is generally considered a “public
performance” and violates the EULA
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Salt Lake City Community College Copyright Laws in Higher Education
www.slcc.edu/pln/copyright99.pdf
Groton Public Schools Copyright Resources on the Internet
http://www.groton.k12.ct.us/mts/pt2a8.htm
Open Directory Project
http://dmoz.org/Society/Issues/Intellectual_Property/Copyrights/
Copyright Website http://www.benedict.com
handout (e-mailed at conclusion of program)
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ACUI has another webinar on RISK MANAGEMENT available for viewing
online. Contact ACUI at (812) 855-8550 for more details
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