Public Performance Rights for Streaming Video

When planning to use video or audio as part of a club or group activity, campus enrichment event, or any out-of-class viewing, the most important consideration is whether the event is a public performance.

If a viewing is open to the public, in a public space, and persons attending are outside the normal circle of family and acquaintances, the viewing is most likely a public performance, even if there is no charge and/or educational content included in the event.  

If you are organizing an event which includes a public performance, you are responsible for securing public performance rights for video or audio you use. The UTC Library does not purchase public performance rights for films used in campus events. You do not need public performance rights for a private viewing of a video, most in-class viewing, or if the film is in the public domain.

Public Performance Rights can usually be secured through a distributor. Swank Motion Pictures, Inc., is a distributor and a public performance licensing agent in non-theatrical markets where feature entertainment movies are shown. Movie Licensing USA, a corporate division of Swank Motion Pictures, Inc., addresses the specific licensing needs of schools and public libraries.

Most library DVDs do not include public performance rights. However, some of our large streaming providers do include public performance rights with some or all of their films. Here are the details for our largest streaming providers: 

Alexander Street
Limited public performance rights for all content where no admission fee is charged. 
*Does not include Film Platform and National Theatre productions. 

Docuseek
Limited public performance rights for all content where no admission fee is charged and advertising for the event is limited to campus and the UTC website. 

Kanopy:
Limited public performance rights on individual films where no admission fee is charged.

If a film includes public performance rights, a “PPR” icon will display in the details dropdown below the description on the film’s page. If no PPR icon is displayed, then there are no public performance rights available.

If you have a question about UTC licensed streaming videos public performance rights, please contact us.

If you have a question about whether or not a UTC licensed streaming video includes PPR or not, please email [email protected]