archive/backup copy of motion pictures in libraries

A hypothetical question:

Would it be acceptable for a library in the United States to make a reformatted copy of a pal format motion picture videorecording into ntsc format, store away the original pal format original in an archive, and circulate the ntsc copy? I've been looking in Section 108 subsection c of Title 17 of the US Code for an answer. According to that, the answer seems to be no, on the grounds that it is possible to purchase a multistandard VCR player, that pal is not an obsolete format, and that the library would not be allowed to loan the video (which would cause the library to violate public performance limitations unless the motion picture were being used by students enrolled in a course where they are expected to watch the video). Is my analysis of subsection c correct? Or, should I look elsewhere in the Copyright Law to find the answer?

Thank you,

Ramona Received on Thu Oct 24 2002 - 16:20:18 GMT