Streaming Video for Campus: Film Events/Public Performance Rights

Hosting "public" film events that include non-MSU people has different rules from using films in classes, orientations, or other events that are restricted to MSU people only. 

Contact the MSU Libraries Office of Copyright for further questions on copyright/licensing and film events. 

• You may not use your individual streaming video account (Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc.) to show films to a group on campus. Your contract with those services does not allow this. 
• You will need to obtain and likely pay for public performance rights (PPR) for any film that you want to show to a group.  If you have found the film on the internet, look for a contact to request to host a screening. 
• "Fair use" considerations under copyright law do not apply to films on paid streaming services since they are governed by licenses and contracts.  

Some films that the MSU Libraries has purchased or subscribed to come with PPR, so those can be shown to a group for no extra work or cost.  Search the Library Catalog (Books and Media) for films from these vendors: 

• Films on Demand
• Alexander Street Press
•  *Some* of Kanopy (someone from the Library would have to check on a case by case basis, contact rodri171@msu.edu and watch: https://resources.overdrive.com/kanopy-view-public-performance-rights/: ).

The following vendor's film *do not* come with public performance rights (and therefore must be sought and payed for per individual screening):

• Kanopy (some, contact Michael Rodriguez: rodri171@msu.edu and watch: https://resources.overdrive.com/kanopy-view-public-performance-rights/)
•  Swank Motion Pictures use: https://www.swank.com/public-libraries/licensing-options/single-event-additonal-info/
•  Film Platform (tricky since it's a part of Alexander Street Press). Contact: sales@filmplatform.net

All major streaming distributors for which MSU Libraries supplies access are on the Library's Media page: http://libguides.lib.msu.edu/eresources/media