Thank you for your interest in showing a movie on campus. Student organizations have two options when seeking to screen a movie at the Witherspoon Cinema.

Option 1: Contact the University Student Center Reservations Office (515-2249) to reserve the Campus Cinema and coordinate event logistics.

Option 2: Contact the UAB Film Program Advisor, Bryan Kanney (bryan_kanney@ncsu.edu) and the UAB Films Chair, Grant Rhodes (uab-films-movies@ncsu.edu) to request interest in collaborating with the UAB Film Program.

After you have selected the movie that you would like to view as part of a program, your first step is to purchase a public viewing license ($300.00 -$1000.00) and rights to show the film in public, which is a public performance fee ($300.00 - $1000.00). Even if you choose to show the movie for free, you are still required to purchase the copyrights. Federal copyright laws protect all movies viewed in public areas regardless of format (DVD, digital, etc.). DVDs that are available for purchase, rented from many commercial establishments, or checked out of the library are for home viewing purposes only. This means they can only be viewed in your private living spaces. In addition to the license fee and performance fee, there are shipping fees and labor expenses. If you obtain a film own on your own, you are required to provide a copy of the license for the event.

As a resource to you, we have included information from the Motion Picture Association of America's anti piracy office regarding copyright law. Information regarding the reservation process (including links), equipment needs, and associated rental fees are located at the bottom of this page.

What the Law Says

The present copyright law establishes the principal that a copyright is property and no one can use someone else's property without permission of the owner or the owner's licensing agent. To protect this property right, the law gives the copyright owner the right to license any public performance of the work with only a few exceptions to this provision. The law also permits the owner or licensing agent to collect a fee when others use the protected work. It is because of copyright enforcement efforts that schools are now hearing of their obligations under the law.

By law, as well as by intent, the pre-recorded home videocassettes and videodiscs which are available in stores throughout the United States are for home use only - unless you have a license to show them elsewhere.

The Federal Copyright Act (Title 17 of the United States Code) governs how copyrighted materials, such as movies, may be used.

Neither the rental nor purchase of a videocassette carries with it the right to show the tape outside of the home. No license is required to view a videotape inside the home by a family or social acquaintances, and home videocassettes may also be shown, without a license, in certain narrowly defined face-to-face teaching activities (Federal Copyright Act, Title 17, section 110.1). All other showings of the home videocassettes are illegal unless they have been authorized by license .

Taverns, restaurants, private clubs, prisons, lodges, factories, summer camps, public libraries, day-care facilities, parks and recreation departments, churches, and non-classroom use at schools and universities are all examples of situations where a public performance license must be obtained. This legal requirement applies regardless of whether an admission fee is charged, whether the institution or organization is commercial or non-profit, or whether a federal or state agency is involved.

Businesses, institutions, organizations, companies or individuals wishing to engage in non-home showings of home videocassettes must secure licenses to do so - regardless of whether an admission or other fee is charged (Section 501). This legal requirement applies equally to profit-making organizations and non-profit institutions (Senate Report No. 94-473, page 59; House Report No. 94-1476, page 62).

Penalties for Copyright Infringement

"Willful" infringement done for purposes of commercial or financial gain is a federal crime and is punishable as a felony, carrying a maximum sentence of up to five years in jail and/or a $150,000 fine. Even inadvertent infringers are subject to substantial civil damages, ranging from $500 to $20,000 for each illegal showing.

Face-to-Face Teaching

The face-to-face teaching exemption is valid only in situations where a teacher is present in a classroom, using a home videocassette for the purpose of teaching to students in a so-called "face-to-face" manner. This educational exemption is narrowly defined and only applies to full-time, nonprofit academic institutions.

Why Is Hollywood Concerned About Such Performances?

The concept of "public performance" is central to copyright and the issue of protection for "intellectual property." If a movie producer, an author, a computer programmer, or a musician does not retain ownership of his or her "work", there would be little incentive for them to continue. There would be little chance of recouping their enormous investment in research and development, much less profits to turn back into future endeavors.

Unauthorized public performances in the U.S. are estimated to rob the movie industry of between $1.5-$2.0 million each year alone. Unfortunately, unauthorized public performances are just the tip of the iceberg. The movie studios lose over $150 million annually due to pirated videotapes and several hundred million more dollars because of illegal satellite and cable TV receptions.

Reservations

After you have selected your film and identified a distributor for the film you may reserve either the Campus Cinema or Harris Field. Registered student groups may reserve the Campus Cinema by calling 515-2249. If you are interested in offering an outdoor film on Harris Field, please contact the SORC Office at 515-3323 to obtain an outdoor permit.

Equipment Needs

Indoors – Witherspoon Cinema

The Witherspoon Cinema is a fully functioning movie theater managed by the University Student Centers (515-2249). The Witherspoon Cinema is equipped to show films on a variety of formats including: DVD. As part of the UAB Film Program, UAB selects movies to screen in the Witherspoon Cinema. University Student Center Staff manage UAB's movie screenings in the Witherspoon Cinema. UAB does not manage the Witherspoon Cinema.

Outdoors – Harris Field

If you decide to offer a film outdoors, you first need to request a permit from University Student Centers. If your event requires you to setup a platform, stage, vehicle or any other heavy object on the venue, you are responsible for contacting Grounds Management to coordinate the setup. Without proper coordination your organization will be responsible for any damages that result from the setup. If your event requires setup of a tent or inflatables of any kind you must coordinate with Grounds Management and Fire Protection. If your event requires electricity, you must submit a work request to University Student Centers Facilities at the following site: http://cemaint.mymx4.com/_private/RequestWork4.asp?AssetID=1042. If your event involves any type of open flame: cooking grills, candles, or any other flame, you will need to obtain a Hot Works Permit from Fire Protection.

Grounds Management: 215-1298, Fire Protection: 515-2568.

You'll also need a DVD player, a projector, sound system and speakers.

Fees, Costs, and Fines

Public Viewing License	$300.00 - $1000.00
Public Performance Fee	$300.00 - $1000.00
Shipping Fees	$30.00 - $90.00 depends on format
Professional contracted outdoor set up	$700.00+
Willful infringement	Up to $150,000.00
Inadvertent infringement	Up to $20,000.00

Additional information on movies and copyright laws can be found at the bottom of this page.

Motion Picture Association: http://www.mpaa.org/

United States Copyright Office: http://www.copyright.gov/

Last updated: June 20, 2013

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