On 1/29/99, Darline Clemens <darline[_at_]defnet.com> wrote:
>
> A college student organization would like to show a popular video in
> a classroom setting, not for educational purposes, but for fun and
> fellowship. Estimate approximately 20 - 30 people will be present. No
> charges of course. The video will be rented from a local video store.
> Is this in violation of copyright? Please direct me to the source and
> location in the Copyright Law.
IMO, technically, it is an infringement. It constitutes a public display of a copyrighted work.
"To perform or display a work "publicly" means--
(1) to perform or display it at a place open to the public or at any place where a substantial number of persons outside of a normal circle of a family and its social acquaintances is gathered."
17 U.S.C. sec. 101.
Seems to me that this not a family circle plus social acquaintances, and the number (20-30) is "substantial."
Can't see any fair use argument other than the usual "it's not commercial."
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