Copyright

Section 108 of the U.S. copyright law provides a way for libraries to make copies of deteriorating or obsolete items provided certain conditions are met.  One of these is that a search be done to ensure that the items in question are not currently available for purchase in a modern format (i.e., if a DVD copy exists and can be purchased, one cannot simply digitize old VHS copies to save money).  The resources below can help in doing research related to this.

Clips from popular media critically annotated for teaching purposes

Public Performance Rights are the legal rights to publicly show a film or video. It is a public performance if any of the following are true:

• The screening is open to the public
• The screening is in a public space (dorm lounge, library, auditorium, etc.)
• Access is not restricted
• Persons attending are outside the normal circle of a family and its acquaintances

PPR are required if you are screening copyrighted media to audiences for purposes that fall outside regular curriculum-based instruction. These include:

• Student organization events (e.g. movie night)
• Meetings, programs, or other events on campus
• Film series/festivals

PPR are not required for:

• Home viewing
• Screening a film only to registered students in a classroom, where the content of the film directly relates to the course

Library videos that include PPR prohibit:

• Charging admission fees
• Public screenings from locations off campus
• Any sort of broadcasting, including over Zoom

Other restrictions may apply. Many of the videos available through the library do not include Public Performance Rights. Contact your subject librarian to learn whether a library video includes PPR and what those PPR terms may be.

**Note that the contents of this box originate with the University of Minnesota Duluth Library