Streaming Video @ The University of Alabama

Showing films to groups of people requires that you obtain Public Performance Rights in most cases. You should be sure that you have the right to show a film to a group of people before doing so or you may be in violation of copyright law. Please see more information below. For help understanding more about a particular film you would like to show, you may contact the Electronic Resources team (eresources@ua.edu) at the University Libraries for assistance.

What are Public Performance Rights?

Public Performance Rights (PPR) are the legal rights to publicly show a film. While copyright law makes an exception for showing films in the classroom, showing them for a public audience may be a violation of copyright law.

When are PPR needed?

PPR are required for:

• Screenings open to the public
• Screenings in a public space where access is not restricted to registered students in a course
• Screenings for a class, but inviting others (non-registered students to the class) to attend
• Some examples where PPR for showing a film is required:
  • As a part of a sorority or fraternity event
  • Public lectures
  • Campus Film Series
  • Extra-curricular events (Campus clubs or groups)

PPR are not required for:

• Showing a film in the classroom (by students and instructors) as part of face-to-face teaching activities
• Home viewing 

Do all of the films in the University Libraries include PPR?

No. Not all films from University Libraries collections provide Public Performance Rights. Please contact University Libraries for assistance determining whether a film in the collection has PPR.