Public Performance Rights (PPR) for Screening Media
Library Policy
Since the UWSP Library acquires media to support the curriculum, and face-to-face teaching is exempt from Public Performance Rights (PPR), the Library does not typically secure PPR with media purchases. However, some distributors of educational media include PPR in the purchase price. In these cases, the Library will note in the Search@UW location field that the item includes public performance rights.
It is the responsibility of the user, not the Library, to investigate the procurement of PPR rights. The Library will provide reasonable assistance to help users identify if the Library’s copy includes PPR or to identify the distributor who may hold the rights to the media.
Example of video owned by the Library that includes PPR:
What are Public Performance Rights?
Public Performance Rights (PPR) are the legal rights to publicly show a film or video. It is a public performance if any of the following are true:
- The screening is open to the public
- The screening is in a public space (dorm lounge, library, auditorium, etc.)
- Access is not restricted
- Persons attending are outside the normal circle of a family and its acquaintances
PPR are not required for:
- Home viewing
- Screening a film only to registered students in a classroom, where the content of the film directly relates to the course*
PPR are required for all screenings of copyrighted media to audiences outside of regular classroom activity. Examples:
- Student club events
- Sponsored extracurricular events such as general lectures
- Film series
*Section 110(1) of the Copyright Law, Title 17, U.S. Code
(http://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap1.html#110) provides an exemption for certain educational uses of video recordings. Specifically, it 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."
