In general, films that are rented, purchased, or streamed (via platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Hulu, or Apple TV) are licensed for “home use” only.
The only exception to the “home use” restriction is the “face-to-face teaching exemption” under 17 U.S.C. § 110(1). Under this exemption, a film or video may be shown without a PPL if all of the following conditions are met:
This exemption does not apply to online or remote instruction.
In general, films that are rented, purchased, or streamed (via platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Hulu, or Apple TV) are licensed for “home use” only. Unless a Public Performance License (PPL) is obtained, these films may not be publicly screened on campus or at EPCC sponsored off-campus events.
YouTube
YouTube videos can be screened for classroom use in support of teaching. However, they cannot be used for public screenings. And you should not show YouTube videos that have copyrighted content that infringes on that copyright.
Netflix
Netflix makes available some of their original documentaries for educational screenings. To check whether a documentary is available, go to Netflix Media Center and type the name of the documentary you are looking for in the search bar. If the title is available for educational screening, you will see the text GRANT OF PERMISSION FOR EDUCATIONAL SCREENING located under the synopsis, with the rules of access. Please ensure that you follow all listed rules of access. Most of these titles permit classroom use across a number of semesters, but only a single public showing (with specific rules attached).
Image Caption: Screenshot of the Netflix documentary Living Undocumented showing the synopsis and permission/rules for educational screenings.
In general, films that are rented, purchased, or streamed (via platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Hulu, or Apple TV) are licensed for “home use” only. Unless a Public Performance License (PPL) is obtained, these films may not be publicly screened on campus or at EPCC sponsored off-campus events. For any public exhibition, a PPL must be obtained from the copyright owner or a licensing agent.
Any public promotion of a screening, regardless of intent, removes it from the scope of the educational fair use exemption and reclassifies it as a public showing under copyright law. If you plan to promote a film screening to anyone outside your enrolled class (via social media, websites, email, printed flyers, or any other form of communication) this is considered a public performance and requires obtaining a PPL in advance. Accordingly, faculty and departments may not promote or host screenings of copyrighted films or videos outside of classroom instruction without first securing the proper licensing. Please note, Marketing & Community Relations is prohibited from promoting any film screenings that do not have an appropriate license.
Academic Video Online (AVON)
AVON is a video database managed by ProQuest that includes clips and full titles on a range of subjects. AVON can be accessed through the EPCC Library website or directly through this link. You may be prompted to enter your EPCC login (the same one you use to access your email and Blackboard). Selections include limited public performance rights that allow for classroom usage and public screenings (without charging for admission).
Kanopy
Kanopy is a streaming service that anyone with an EPCC login can access. Go to Kanopy’s website and enter your EPCC login (the same one you use to access your email and Blackboard) to browse the selection. Any of the selections on Kanopy can be used in the classroom.
Media that can be shown at public screenings will have the PPR (Public Performance Rights) icon.
Image Caption: Public Performance Rights icon on Kanopy, indicating a film can be used for a public screening.
The rights include the film, film title, and images, but source credit must be given to Kanopy and the event cannot charge admission. To easily find what films are available for public screenings, click on the Search bar and on the lefthand Filters menu scroll to the bottom to toggle on “Public performance rights available.” If you have already searched with a term and the toggle is not visible, this indicates none of your search results are eligible for public screenings.
Image Caption: Screenshot of Kanopy search, with a teal arrow pointing to the toggle button to search for Public Performance rights options.
When you search for films, you might notice a tab at the top that says “Request Access.” These are films that are not in EPCC's subscription to Kanopy and thus are not available for streaming for either classroom use or public screenings.
Swank
EPCC-Northwest campus has access to Swank, which contains film, documentaries, and TV shows. Visit Swank’s website to see a selection of what is available. Once you have a title selected, email your details (title, audience, desired use of material, intended date of use) to Askalib@epcc.edu. Titles for use in classroom instruction have shorter approval times. Anyone at EPCC can request access to a Swank title.
For public screenings, please allow a minimum of a month to process the request. These screenings require additional fees, which will need to be approved and covered by the relevant budget area.
