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Question
Am I allowed to show a movie in class?
What are the copyright rules surrounding showing media in classes?
Answer
U.S. Copyright Law provides instructors with the right to show and/or assign films and videos for teaching and learning, both in their entirety and clips thereof, under the following conditions:
- The teaching activities are part of a designated USD course.
- The display or access to the film or video is in connection with teaching and learning activities.
- The display of the film or video takes place in a university classroom.
Films and videos used within distance education courses, or otherwise made available to students through D2L outside of face-to-face instruction, are, per U.S. Copyright law, subject to greater copyright restriction than those shown in face-to-face instruction. In light of U.S. Copyright law and to support teaching and learning, the University Libraries licenses streaming film and video databases, Hence, instructors are encouraged to use materials from these film and video resources.
The University Libraries also purchases film and video on a title-by-title basis, both in streaming and DVD formats; and these materials are available through the University Libraries. Please check the library catalog or contact library@usd.edu about the availability of a film or video.
If the University Libraries cannot purchase a video or film, instructors may request that ITS make a digital copy of a lawfully owned copy of a film or video to stream for viewing in face-to-face courses. Seeking permission of the producer is not required. Please submit a ticket for this service. Instructors may only make the digitized copy available through D2L.
The above guidance is not legal advice.