Topics Map > Student Organizations > Policies
Public Performance Rights
In most cases, to show a movie, TV show or documentary as part of an event, you must obtain permission, often in the form of a Public Performance Rights (PPR) License. Please note that student organization events generally do not fall under the face to face teaching exemption, which states that a film, video or TV program shown in a classroom for teaching or educational purposes may be allowed without permission at 17 U.S.C. §110(1). (From: Mt. San Antonio College Library)
PPR Licenses are expensive, and typically not worth the cost for small events. Fortunately, the UW Libraries and the Madison Public Library have resources where students can access films with public performance rights, which can be shown at events without purchasing a license.
UW-Libraries Resources
Kanopy
Streaming video service of documentaries and films across diverse subjects and disciplines. Access to Criterion Collection, Media Education Foundation Collection and California Newsreel Collection.
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Individual film requests: Yes, at anytime during the year. Films are typically able to be licensed in 1 and 3 year increments
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Public Performance Rights: Yes, as long as the film is being shown on campus and no admission or fees are charged
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Expiration dates: Varies. We typically license individual films in 1 or 3 year increments with the option to renew as long as Kanopy is distributing the film. Some Kanopy content is part of a package of films.
Academic Video Online
Collection of almost 70,000 streaming videos spanning a wide range of subject areas including anthropology, business, counseling, film, health, history, music, and more.
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Individual film requests: No
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Public Performance Rights: Yes, as long as the film* is being shown on campus and no admission or fees are charged. *Excludes National Theatre titles.
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Expiration dates: Academic Video Online can add and remove content at their discretion. The libraries subscribe to this database on a yearly basis
Docuseek
Streaming video collection of independent, social-issue and environmental films from renowned leaders in documentary film distribution.
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Individual film requests: Yes
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Public Performance Rights: Yes, as long as the film is being shown on campus and no admission or fees are charged
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Expiration dates: Varies. Some collections in Docuseek have been purchased and the libraries retain perpetual access to the titles, while some individual titles are leased for 1 or 3 years.
Films on Demand: Master Academic Collection
25,000 Streaming educational videos on a variety of academic areas of study provided by many producers (BBC, National Geographic, PBS, etc.).
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Individual film requests: No
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Public Performance Rights: Yes, as long as no admission or fees are charged
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Expiration dates: Films on Demand can add and remove content at their discretion. The libraries subscribe to this database in coordination with the Universities of Wisconsin.
Alexander Street Streaming Video Collections
The libraries have access to a number of collections in Alexander Street, providing access to thousands of films on a wide variety of topics.
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Some Alexander Street collections licensed through the Libraries:
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Individual film requests: No
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Public Performance Rights: Yes, as long as the film* is being shown on campus and no admission or fees are charged. *Excludes titles in the Film Platform Collection and National Theatre titles.
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Expiration dates: Varies. The libraries have purchased some collections in Alexander Street and have perpetual access, while others are subscribed to on an annual basis and may have titles move in and out of the collection.
Madison Public Library Resources
MPL also has a Kanopy subscription for MPL cardholders to access, with a different selection of films available than what the UW Library has on Kanopy. Click here for information about how to get a library card.
There are many films with public performance rights available in Kanopy. For extracurricular events, you should filter for PPR rights in Kanopy before choosing a film.
You can find these films on the Kanopy website by applying the “Public Performance” filter to search results. Scroll to the bottom of the filters and toggle “Public performance rights available: on. Note that this toggle will not appear if the search results contain no films with PPR. Films with public performance rights have a “PPR” icon next to the running time on the details page.