This page is intended to provide information and resources about Public Performance Rights for screening film media within and outside of the classroom. If you have questions about Public Performance Rights, please contact the library.
Stoxen Library has many films that were purchased with Public Performance Rights. Check out our collection to see what is available. Videos available through Academic Video Online (AVON) also have Public Performance Rights - excluding Film Platform titles. Please contact Stoxen Library staff for conditions specified by the license prior to a public performance.
If you are interested in showing a film that does not have Public Performance Rights, please contact Stoxen Library for assistance.
Public Performance Rights (PPR) are the legal rights to publicly show a film or video (media). Normally the media producer or distributor manages these rights. The rights-holder (or their designate) can assign PPR to others through a Public Performance License.
Why is it important to secure Public Performance Rights (PPR)? Showing media, whether borrowed from the library or rented/purchased, to groups outside of the classroom may be illegal, and may place the University at risk legally.
In short, to screen a film outside of your home or outside of a face-to-face class (for which the film is listed on the syllabus and used for instructional purposes) , Public Performance Rights (PPR) must be secured.
| YES | NO |
| if the screening is open to the public and no admission is charge, such as showing a foreign-language film to the community for cultural enrichment | if privately viewing the film in your room with friends |
| if the screening is in a public space where access is not restricted, such as an instructor showing a film to a class for curriculum-related purposes in a public or unrestricted-access location | if an instructor is showing the film to officially registered students face-to-face, in a classroom, where content of film directly relates to course* |
| if persons attending are outside the normal circle of family and acquaintances, such as showing a film to a club or organization, or showing a film for class but inviting others to attend | if the film is part of Academic Video Online, the library's streaming service, and the use falls under the terms of the license. |
*Classroom Use Exemption allows for sharing media in a classroom ("or similar place devoted to instruction"); in person, engaged in face-to-face teaching activities; at a nonprofit educational institution. The TEACH Act allows for the use of streaming media in an online course environment.