DVD, Copyright, and public exhibition - DVDfile.com forum for DVD, Blu-Ray, and HD-DVD

andyman · 03-24-2001, 04:27 AM

Here's my problem... At my place of employment (around 200 employees) we just moved into a new building and the training rooms we now have are perfect "theater rooms".

We thought it would be fun to show a DVD movie every other week as a "fringe benefit" for the employees. However, I know that this is technically breaking copyright.

Does anyone know of a solution? Does anyone have an idea of where/whom I could contact to get licensing information? There are services for the music industry that provide "blanket licenses" for DJs etc. Is there anything similar for the movie industry?

Any input would be appreciated...

-- Andrew

***1138*** · 03-24-2001, 04:38 AM

Welcome to the forum andyman!

------------------
1138 - DVD File Forum Greeter
They gave us $5 for breakfast. Man, I hope this trial never ends!

manigrasso · 03-24-2001, 03:53 PM

andyman

I don't think you're breaking copyright laws this way. This is tantamount to inviting a bunch of friends over to your house to watch a movie. If you were charging admission, it would be a violation. If you were using the facilities to copy the disc so every employee can have one, this is also copyright. If you were using the disc to profit in any other way (for instance, a bar that plays a movie and then sells drinks & snacks), THAT would be a copyright violation.

I don't think obtaining a license would enter into it.

andyman · 03-24-2001, 05:26 PM

Thanks for the reply, but the reason I bring up the question is that the company lawyer (I know... it gives me the chills just thinking about it) asked us not to do it because of copyright issues.

I agree... I thought that the situation was exactly like you said, but apparently the lawyer doesn't think so.

Does anyone know of places I can get exact info? Maybe some piece of "legal document" somewhere?

RegniL · 03-24-2001, 11:25 PM

man.. uptight lawyers!!!!!!! boo

TheJeffy · 03-25-2001, 02:26 AM

Your question sparked an interest in me..I'd really like to know the legal issues surrounding this as well. But after searching everywhere, I came up with absolutely no answers.

My only suggestion would be to contact some of the big studios (Buena Vista comes to mind as the most copywrite paranoid) and find out from a few what their thoughts are on the matter. I would hate to think you'd have to get a release for each seperate title.

And btw, my first instinct was also to think it's okay as long as you don't charge admission, but it never hurts to play it safe and keep lawyers happy

Jeff

03-24-2001, 04:27 AM	#1 (permalink)
andyman Supporting Actor Join Date: Mar 2001	DVD, Copyright, and public exhibition Here's my problem... At my place of employment (around 200 employees) we just moved into a new building and the training rooms we now have are perfect "theater rooms". We thought it would be fun to show a DVD movie every other week as a "fringe benefit" for the employees. However, I know that this is technically breaking copyright. Does anyone know of a solution? Does anyone have an idea of where/whom I could contact to get licensing information? There are services for the music industry that provide "blanket licenses" for DJs etc. Is there anything similar for the movie industry? Any input would be appreciated... -- Andrew

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03-24-2001, 04:38 AM	#2 (permalink)
*1138* Producer/Admin Careful, or I'll ban myself... Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: San Jose, CA	Welcome to the forum andyman! ------------------ 1138 - DVD File Forum Greeter They gave us $5 for breakfast. Man, I hope this trial never ends!

03-24-2001, 03:53 PM	#3 (permalink)
manigrasso Forum Sage Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: NJ	andyman I don't think you're breaking copyright laws this way. This is tantamount to inviting a bunch of friends over to your house to watch a movie. If you were charging admission, it would be a violation. If you were using the facilities to copy the disc so every employee can have one, this is also copyright. If you were using the disc to profit in any other way (for instance, a bar that plays a movie and then sells drinks & snacks), THAT would be a copyright violation. I don't think obtaining a license would enter into it.

03-24-2001, 05:26 PM	#4 (permalink)
andyman Supporting Actor Join Date: Mar 2001	Thanks for the reply, but the reason I bring up the question is that the company lawyer (I know... it gives me the chills just thinking about it) asked us not to do it because of copyright issues. I agree... I thought that the situation was exactly like you said, but apparently the lawyer doesn't think so. Does anyone know of places I can get exact info? Maybe some piece of "legal document" somewhere?

03-24-2001, 11:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
RegniL Actor Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: new westminster, bc, canada	man.. uptight lawyers!!!!!!! boo

03-25-2001, 02:26 AM	#6 (permalink)
TheJeffy Banned Join Date: Dec 2000	Your question sparked an interest in me..I'd really like to know the legal issues surrounding this as well. But after searching everywhere, I came up with absolutely no answers. My only suggestion would be to contact some of the big studios (Buena Vista comes to mind as the most copywrite paranoid) and find out from a few what their thoughts are on the matter. I would hate to think you'd have to get a release for each seperate title. And btw, my first instinct was also to think it's okay as long as you don't charge admission, but it never hurts to play it safe and keep lawyers happy Jeff