Video requires special consideration because, in addition to the Fair Use allowances, Section 110(1) of the Copyright Law, Title 17, U.S. Code allows for "performance or display of a work by instructors or pupils in the course of face-to-face teaching activities of a nonprofit educational institution, in a classroom or similar place devoted to instruction." LITS provides the services and resources below to facilitate course use. Other uses may require public performance rights. Repurposing video in the course of a project or assignment may also present special challenges.
LITS subscribes to the Kanopy streaming service (as well as AVON, Docuseek, and some smaller collections) which includes a wide variety of documentaries, indie and foreign films, classics, and blockbuster movies. Our licenses allows for classroom use. For other uses, please contact us at mhc-teaching-film-g@mtholyoke.edu. Note that commercial streaming services, like Netflix and Amazon, are for "home use" only.
If you wish to show a video on campus (including both DVD and streaming), please see Public Performance Rights to determine whether you need permissions.
If you wish to use video in your coursework or project, please see Legal Sources for Multimedia Projects Guide. This guide offers resources to assist in locating materials in public domain or under Creative Commons licensing. Students working on multimedia projects are encouraged to use copyright-free materials or apply Fair Use principles to copyrighted materials. It is your responsibility to use these materials wisely and follow the law.
