Screening Videos in Class
Can I show this film in class? A quick guide for StFX faculty, staff and students
The use of videotapes in the library, classrooms and on campus is subject to the Copyright Act of Canada. Public performance rights must be arranged prior to showing films on campus. "Public performance rights" include the right to show a videotape (or DVD) in public which includes the classroom, the library, or any public venue on campus. The following can assist in determining if a film can be shown.
Is the film from the Angus L. Macdonald Library?
All library films can be shown in class unless they are labeled "Private Viewing Only". Faculty and students may view "Private Viewing Only" videos at home.
Is the film covered under the Audio Cine Film (ACF) license?
Check the Audio Cine Film (ACF) search. If the film is listed, it can be shown in class as StFX has a license with Audio Cine Film (ACF). Please fill out the Films Shown form because reporting the films shown is a condition of the license.
Is the film covered under the Criterion film license?
Check the Criterion Catalog Search. If the film is listed it can be shown in class as StFX has a license with Criterion. Please fill out the Films Shown form because reporting the films shown is a condition of the license.
If the film is not from the Angus L. Macdonald Library and is not covered under the Audio Cine or Criterion licenses, it may still be possible to show the film in class.
Were public performance rights purchased/arranged for the film?
Check with the person who purchased the film. If the film was purchased at a store, it is unlikely that public performance rights were purchased. If the film was purchased from a producer, distributor, a society or an organization, the public performance rights may have been acquired at the time of purchase. The National Film Board, for example, differentiates in its pricing to institutions versus individuals and includes public performance rights in all its institutional sales.
Is this a video of a TV news program and/or commentary?
The video of a TV news program and/or commentary (but not a documentary) may be shown in class for up to one year after the program originally aired.
Have you requested and received permission from the copyright owner?
If permission has been granted by the copyright owner the video may be shown in class.
Is the film in the public domain?
In general, copyright for films exists for a period of fifty years after the death of the author or year of release of the film. So it is possible that the film is in the public domain. However, you should confirm that the version you wish to show does not have new copyrighted material or commentary added.
For more detailed information on copyright:
