Re: classroom use of feature length film

I am not a lawyer, but my experience and research has been that if the film is being shown as a curricular part of the class such as showing "Tora Tora Tora" while studying World War Two or showing "The Music Man" while studying that musical in a music or theater class then there is no problem with the public performance provided it is only for the members of that class.

On the opposite side I have heard of schools getting in trouble legally for showing movies without a curricular tie in. In other words, showing "Finding Nemo" at the end of the year just as a blow off day is breaking the public performance rule.

I am not a lawyer, however, and will be watching this thread with interest to see the other replies.

On 3/9/06, McMullen, Anthony <mcmullen[_at_]setonhill.edu> wrote:
>
> I have been asked to investigate copyright issues relevant to the
> following scenario:
>
> Instructor at educational institution wishes to rent a feature length film
> from Blockbuster video and then show film in its entirety to his Film
> Studies class of approximately 20 students. Class is face-to-face -- no
> duplication and retransmission of said film will occur.
>
> Is permission from copyright owner required? I'm finding conflicting
> information regarding the typical "for home use only" label that is fixed to
> most videos borrowed from commercial video stores. Does this "for home use
> only" rule apply, or is the above scenario covered under Fair Use ?
>
> Any insight is greatly appreciated
>
> Tony McMullen
> Systems Librarian
> Reeves Memorial Library
> Seton Hill University
> 1 Seton Hill Drive
> Greensburg, PA 15601
> (724)830-4616
> FAX: 724-838-4203
> *mcmullen[_at_]setonhill.edu*
>

--
Chad Criswell
http://www.musicedmagic.com
http://musicappreciation.suite101.com