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Use of Films in the Classroom
Under the Copyright Act of Canada, any film used in a public place must have Public Performance Rights (PPR). Classrooms, student lounges, etc. are considered public places.
Films, videos, and DVDs in the Seminary Library collection are purchased with public performance rights, which allows them to be shown in the classroom. In addition, through the Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL), the library has licensed PPR access to the full suite of National Film Board films, documentaries, animations and alternative dramas on the web. To discover what's available, go to NFB.ca. In some instances where public performance rights are not secured, the titles are clearly marked as “Home/Individual use only", and may not be shown in a group setting or classroom.
As commercial feature films and DVDs typically do not come with PPR, they need to be covered by an annual site licence with one of the two major Canadian distributors of feature films, Criterion Pictures and Audio Cine Films, Inc. The studios or producers whose work is covered by the site licences can be found by following the foregoing links. If the video is produced by a studio covered by the site licence, it may be shown legally on Seminary property, however, the screening must be reported to the library. The videos/DVDs must be legal copies and can be rented, purchased, borrowed or personal copies.
The Copyright Act applies even if ...
- Films are rented, purchased or personally owned;
- Films are only partially shown, e.g. just "clips";
- Films are shown within a non-profit, educational context;
- Films are shown to small groups.
Many people can be held accountable when the Copyright Act is violated: you and/or the Seminary may be subject to substantial civil and criminal penalties, which can include hefty fines, imprisonment or both.
