If a student group or club would like to show a film, the sponsoring group will need to secure the proper licensing rights. Film showings that are organized by student groups or clubs are considered public performances, even if the film is educational or if the event is only available to OCOM students.
Many films (both documentaries and feature films) require a public performance license to be purchased. The sponsoring club is responsible for the funding of the performance license, and a license or permission must be secured even if the film is acquired from a personal collection, rental store, or library. For smaller, independent productions, students may contact the distributor directly to ask for permission. Proof of purchase of a required license must be presented to the Student Services Manager prior to advertising for the event.
If a student club requires assistance in locating information about the copyright holder, they may contact the Director of Library Services for assistance.
Some videos in OCOM's collection already come with the performance rights -- we bought these titles at a higher price, and are free to show them without seeking permission. Here is a current list of our titles:
Most big-budget and feature releases can be licensed through third-party licensing companies without having to contact the copyright holder. Here are some film licensing providers:
Search for the title on IMDB and click on the Company Credits link. Look for the US DVD distributor – this is generally the company that you want to contact about getting performance licensing. If no distributor or company credits are listed, try going to the film's website to see if the site includes contact information.