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Streaming Video Collections

Streaming video collections available through the Rohrbach Library

What are public performance rights (PPR)?

Public Performance Rights are the legal rights to publicly show a film or video.  It is a public performance if any of the following are true:

  • The screening is open to the public
  • The screening is in a public space (dorm lounge, library, auditorium, etc.)
  • Access is not restricted
  • Persons attending are outside the normal circle of a family and its acquaintances 

PPR are not required for:

  • Home viewing
  • Showing a video to registered students in a classroom, where the content of the film directly relates to the course: Section 110(1) of the Copyright Law, Title 17, U.S. Code: provides an exemption for certain educational uses of video recordings. Specifically, it allows for "performance or display of a work by instructors or pupils in the course of face-to-face teaching activities of a nonprofit educational institution, in a classroom or similar place devoted to instruction."   

PPR are required for all screenings of copyrighted media to audiences outside of regular classroom activity.  Examples:

  • Student club events
  • Sponsored extracurricular events
  • Film festival 

Since the library acquires videos to support the curriculum, we do not typically secure PPR with video purchases and subscriptions. However some educational distributors include PPR with their videos (see below).

It is the responsibility of the user, not the library, to investigate PPR. The library will provide assistance in determining if the library's copy includes PRR or help identify a distributor who may hold the PRR.

Does the Library have videos with Public Performance Rights?

Yes, some of the library's streaming videos collections include PPR for videos in the subscription, as long as admission is not charged.  These streaming collections include PPR: