LibGuides: Film and Video: Copyright

Legal Disclaimer

Reeves Memorial Library maintains this page to enhance access to information about copyright and fair use. Our goal is to keep this information timely and accurate. If errors are brought to our attention, we will try to correct them.

However the Library accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to the information on this site.

This information is:

of a general nature only and is not intended to address the specific circumstances of any particular individual or entity;
not necessarily comprehensive, complete, accurate or up to date;
sometimes linked to external sites over which the Library has no control and for which the Library assumes no responsibility;
not legal advice (if you need specific advice, you should always consult a qualified professional).

Video and DVD Copyright

All titles in the Reeves Memorial Library DVD collection are under copyright. Unauthorized use or duplication of these materials is strictly prohibited. All materials checked out from Reeves Memorial Library are expected to be used in accordance with current copyright law.

The library's DVDs may be shown as clips or in their entirety in the classroom as part of face-to-face teaching activities or class assignments. Any display or presentation of these materials without an instructor present or outside of the classroom would be a violation of copyright law. Reeves Memorial Library does not own public performance rights for most of the items in our DVD collection. Any general public screening (whether on or off campus, and whether free or not) must have public performance rights.

Copyright on Campus

Very helpful video from the Copyright Clearance Center; click through to watch it on YouTube, as embedded play has been disabled.

Copyright Links

American Library Association - Video and Copyright
This online fact sheet from the ALA provides helpful information and links to resources for librarians and educators.
United States Copyright Office
This government website provides information about copyright, including the full text of all current federal copyright laws, and allows users to search copyright records online.
Campus Guide to Copyright Compliance
An explanation of the "Fair Use" concept and how to determine whether a particular academic usage is likely to be considered fair.
Copyright Clearance Center | The Copyright Licensing Experts
The CCC has lots of information about finding the owner of a copyright and getting permission to use copyrighted works.
Creative Commons
This is a nonprofit organization that "enables the sharing and use of creativity and knowledge through free legal tools" such as copyright licenses.