Copyright for Faculty

Videotapes, DVDs: Classroom Use

Purchasing, renting, or borrowing from the library a legally made copy of a videotape or DVD does not give the person in possession of the video or DVD the right to show that work to others. The copyright owner determines the circumstances in which the work may be performed. However, use of this type of media in a nonprofit educational institution is allowed, without obtaining permission, under certain conditions as specified in Section 110 (1) of the Copyright Act of 1976 and in House Report (94-1476).

1. They (videotapes or DVD's) must be shown as part of the instructional program
2. They must be shown by students, instructors, or guest lecturers
3. They must be shown either in a classroom or other school location devoted to instruction
4. They must be shown either in a face-to-face setting or where students and teachers are in the same building or general location
5. They must be shown only to students and educators
6. They must be shown using a legitimate (not illegally reproduced) copy with the copyright notice included

There must be a direct relationship between the videotape or DVD and the course. Videos and DVDs, even in a face-to-face classroom setting, may not be used for entertainment or recreation, whatever the work's intellectual content.

Videotapes, DVDs: Use Outside the Classroom

Videos and DVDs, owned by the University, may be viewed by students, faculty, and staff at workstations or in small group rooms in the Library. Faculty members may also checkout videos and DVDs for viewing at home. Videos or DVDs which are to be shown to a larger audience as part of a special program, lecture series, etc. require permission from the copyright owner for public performance rights. Copying a videotape or DVD without the copyright owner's permission is illegal.

17 U.S.C. § 110

U.S. Copyright Office. (n.d.). Circular 21: Reproduction of copyrighted works by educators and librarians. Retrieved from

http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ21.pdf