Copyright

Public Performance Licenses (PPR) allow institutions to screen films to classrooms and events, as long as they are free of charge and on-campus. The library subscribes to 2 streaming platforms that include these kinds of films. To search for films that already include the PPR license do the following:

Film Databases at Valley

1.  From the library's homepage, navigate to the Research Databases and Guides link.
2. Under Databases by Type, scroll down to Film
3. Select Kanopy or Alexander Street Academic Video Online

Kanopy

1. Select the Search option at the top left of the page.
2. Once selected, a filter menu appears on the left.
3. Scroll down that menu until you find Public Performance and select it. 
4. Once that feature is turned on, you will only see films that are licensed for public performance.

Alexander Street Academic Video Online (AVON)

1. All films* purchased or subscribed to through Alexander Street, whether streaming or DVD, include limited public performance rights, which includes permission for classroom showings, as well as on-campus or in-library public screenings, as long as no admission is being charged.

Public Performance Licenses can be purchased through one of the following:

• By renting the movie directly from a distributor that is authorized to grant such licenses, such as Swank Motion Pictures, Inc., rather than from a video store.
• By contacting the copyright holder (generally the studio) directly.

In most cases, you will be eligible for a “non-theatrical” public performance license, which is considerably cheaper than what a commercial cinema must pay. Still, the cost is likely to be at least several hundred dollars, especially for the most recent movies. That may seem unreasonable, but keep in mind that inability or unwillingness to pay is not a valid defense to a copyright infringement lawsuit.

Access to content on streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon, and similar services is restricted to individual users.

• Even if you have a paid account, you will need separate public performances rights to show it publicly, using the same criteria for evaluation as above. It is sometimes more frustrating with content that is exclusive to the streaming services, as they don't make everything available for license.

There are, however, some streaming platforms that include some content that can be screened for educational purposes.