Video Guide

When a film, video, or a TV program--whether contained within the Metro State Library's collection or not--is shown as a part of an event, permission is needed to perform the work, often in the form of a Public Performance Rights (PPR) license.

When PPR is needed

• A showing of a film or video open to the public, such as a screening at a public event. This includes film series hosted by a club or organization that is open and advertised to the public, even if the series is sponsored by an educational club or organization.
• A showing of a film or video in a public space where access is not restricted, such as a film or video shown for a class in a venue that is open for anyone to attend.
• A showing of a film or video by a club or organization. 

PPR is still needed even if a member of a club or organization owns a DVD or accesses the Metro State Library's streaming video collections and they want to show the DVD or stream the video.

When PPR is not needed

• A showing of a film or video by an instructor in class as part of the course curriculum to officially enrolled students in a classroom that is not open to others to attend.
• Any film or video in the public domain.

Individuals, campus event organizers, and student clubs and organizations are responsible for obtaining PPR for all non-exempt showings.

There are two ways to obtain PPR.

1. Contact the copyright holder directory or the film distributor. If the distributor has the authority from the copyright owner to grant licenses, to purchase PPR, or to request permission for a particular public performance use, then permission or a license can be directly obtained.
2. Contact the licensing service representing the particular studio or title. This is generally required for all feature length films.

Contact Metro State Library and Information Services (use the contact form or email at library.services@metrostate.edu) for assistance in locating the appropriate licensing agent for a particular film.

Campus event organizers, student clubs, and organizations must cover PPR licensing costs for any non-exempt public performances of film and video.

Campus event organizers and student clubs showing any film or video from library sources at any public event or in a meeting of a club or organization are encouraged to include a public acknowledgement in event marketing materials or at the performance itself, similar to the following: "Access to this film [or video] is brought to you by Library and Information Services at Metro State University."

Information on this page was adapted by Associate Professor Dawn Wing at Metro State University from the guide Copyright on Campus: Showing Movies in Class and on Campus by University of Florida George A. Smathers Libraries, licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 3.0.