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Copyright: Public Performance Rights and Screening Films for Campus Events

Public Performance Guidelines

In order to screen a film on campus for an event that takes place outside of the classroom, Public Performance Rights usually must be obtained beforehand. While the library does not contact the rights holders for a film, or cover the cost of obtaining a Public Performance License, we can assist in determining who to contact to obtain permission to screen a film for an event. Once the rights holder for a film has been identified it is the responsibility of the student group or university department to contact the rights holder directly. Public Services Librarian Robert Young is available if there are questions about obtaining Public Performance Rights for a film screening: Robert.Young@qu.edu , office - 203-582-3469. 

What are Public Performance Rights? 

Public Performance Rights (PPR) grant legal permission to publicly screen a commercially produced film. Normally the film producer, or an authorized distributor, manages these rights, and the PPR for a film is granted by obtaining a Public Performance License. 

It is considered a public performance if any of the following are true:

  • The screening is open to the campus community, and in some cases the outside public 
  • The screening is in a public space (dorm, lounge, library, auditorium, Zoom event, etc.)
  • Access is not restricted, as it would for a class screening        

Showing media, whether borrowed from the library or rented, purchased, or streamed to groups outside the classroom may be illegal, and may put the university at legal risk. 

When are Public Performance Rights Required? 

PPR are required if you are screening copyrighted media to audiences for purposes that fall outside regular curriculum-based instruction: These include: 

  • Student organization events
  • Meetings, programs, or other events on campus hosted by a university department
  • Film series/festivals 

PPR are not required for: 

Obtaining Public Performance Rights

There are a number of licensing service companies that provide films for screening at colleges and universities.