Public Performance Rights
and the Western Libraries' Video Collection

Videos purchased by or donated the Western Libraries typically do not contain public performace rights.  They are intended for personal home use only except as noted in (Section 110(1) of U.S. Copyright law which provides for classroom and other instructional use without purchase orf public performance rights.  In nearly all other instances Public Performance Rights are required even if no admission is charged or donations accepted.

If your intention is to provide a public viewing of any film owned by the Western Libraries you will need to you must pay for putlic performance rights.  The three largest grantors of these rights are Swank, Criterion, and New Yorker Films.  You may also pursue public performance rights by working with the Norh American distrubtor or vendor of the film.  Non-compliance with The Copyright Act is considered infringement and carries federal and civil penalties of up to $150,000 per exhibition.

• For further information about Public Performance Rights visit the web site of the Motion Picture Licensing Corporation.
   

Updated March 2008