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Video cassette tapes of copyrighted motion pictures are
available for purchase or rent from many local vendors. The fact that the
tapes contain copyrighted material, and that care must be taken when
scheduling the use of University facilities, guidelines were developed to
state when you are allowed to show tapes of copyrighted motion pictures on
University property. |
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Organizations and individuals who wish to publicly
exhibit copyrighted motion pictures and audiovisual works must secure license
to do so. Purchases of pre-recorded video cassettes and videodiscs do
not change their legal obligations. |
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Unless you get written, documented permission, or you get
the copyrighted motion picture material from distributors noted below, SGA
cannot issue purchase orders, pay invoices, or provide reimbursements for
their rental or purchase. |
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The copyright owner's right to publicly perform his
work, or to license others to do so, is exclusive. |
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Any willful infringement of this right "for
purpose of commercial advantage or private financial gain" is a
Federal crime. The first offense is punishable by up to one year in jail
or a $25,000 fine, or both; the second and each subsequent offense are
punishable by up to two years in jail or a $50,000 fine, or both. In
addition, even innocent or inadvertent infringes are subject to
substantial civil penalties. |
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The exhibiting of 35 and 16 millimeter motion pictures is
common at University Park Campus. These films are rented from national
distributors such as Swank, MGM\UA, Films Incorporated and many others. This
can be done without infringement of the copyright laws since the distributors
have the authorization to rent the copyrighted films to us. |
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To get the full policy on the rental of copyrighted motion
pictures, please stop by the Office of Student Activities. |
