Film & Image Services

Notice of Copyright Restrictions

The U.S. copyright law (Title 17 of the United States Code) governs the performance and display of copyrighted motion picture or audiovisual works. All materials in the Library's Moving Image Collections are copyrighted. Use not specifically permitted or exempted by copyright law is prohibited. Duplication without the written permission of the copyright owner is illegal. Individuals not complying with copyright restrictions may be liable for infringement.

Permitted or Exempted Use

The copyright owner specifies the circumstances in which a film or video may be "performed". Exemptions to the Copyright Act of 1976 specify permitted uses for educational institutions.

Classroom Use

Face to Face Exemption--Section 110(1) Limitations on exclusive rights: Exemption of certain performances and displays

Performance or display of a lawfully made and acquired work by instructors or pupils in the course of face-to-face teaching of a non-profit educational institution, in a classroom or similar place devoted to instruction is not an infringement of copyright.

Four requirements in meeting the face-to-face exemption:

• The performance must be given by an instructor or student. The instructor must be present.
• The performance must involve face-to-face teaching. The instructor and the students must be together.
• The performance must be limited to teaching activities.
• The performance takes place in a classroom or similar place devoted to instruction that is considered a classroom at the time the instructor and students are present.
• The relationship between the film or video and the course must be explicit.

Any legally acquired film or video may be shown in class under the Face-to-Face exemption, including Home Use Only videos.

Any performance outside the classroom that does not support specific instructional activity could be considered an infringement. Screenings must meet either fair use or educational exemptions.

Used by permission from UCSD Library.

Reproductions or Copies

Duplication without the copyright owner's written permission is illegal. The Copyright Act, Title 17, Section 108 makes provisions regarding duplication by libraries and archives.

Duplication of a legally acquired work within the Library's Moving Image Collections may be made if:

• the work is damaged, deteriorating, lost or stolen
• or if access equipment is no longer readily available
• and if it is out of distribution, or not available for purchase at a fair market price after a reasonable search effort

Duplicates that are made under these conditions are used as access copies in the Library, in order to preserve the non-replaceable original.

Found Footage

No footage from any work from the Library's Moving Image Collections can be used in student projects without written copyright permission.