MOVIE NIGHTS AT THE MARSHALL STUDENT CENTER WHAT DO I NEED? If you are planning to show a copyrighted film during your event, you will need a public performance license! The MSC Administration will need proof, such as a copy of the public performance license for the film in question, before the event. MSC Event and Meeting Services cannot arrange the license for you. WHEN DO I NEED THE LICENSE BY? You must turn in a copy of your license to your event planner no later than three (3) business days before your event. If we do not receive a valid license in time, you will have the chance to cancel your event or hold another activity. You may also chose to show a public domain film. You may not show a copyrighted film without a license. WHY DO I NEED A LICENSE? Per University policy, the Marshall Student Center requires a license for all copyrighted materials publicly distributed in the MSC.
Also, if you are with a student organization and you want to use Student Government funding, the Student Business Services Shared Services Center will need proof of the public performance license before they can approve any expenses related to the showing, such as food or MSC event expenses. HOW DO I GET A LICENSE? Getting a public performance license for a film is relatively easy and usually requires no more than an email or phone call and payment of a fee. Fees are determined by factors such as: the number of times a particular movie is going to be shown, how large the audience will be, how recently the film was released, etc. While fees vary, they are generally between $200-400 per showing.
Student organizations may use Student Government funding for a public performance license, as long as the organization has the budget for it and as the vendor accepts one of the University’s methods of payment.
To get a public performance license, try the following: For major feature films, you can use a licensing service. See the next page for a list of some licensing services. Check with the copyright holder directly. Many production companies have the public screening rights information on the film website. Check with the distributor to see if they have the authority from the copyright holder to grant licenses. (This is a good method for documentaries.)
Last edited 7/25/2018
Some licensing services: Swank Motion Pictures, Inc. or Movie Licensing USA (http://www.movlic.com/ ) (a division of Swank) Major movie distributor and a public performance-licensing agent in non-theatrical markets where feature entertainment movies are shown. They offer special services for college campuses, and represent: Walt Disney Studios, Touchstone Pictures, Hollywood Pictures, Warner Bros., Paramount Pictures, Columbia Pictures, Tri-Star Pictures, Miramax Films, Universal Studios, DreamWorks Pictures, Metro- Goldwyn-Mayer, United Artists, and several independent studios.
Criterion Pictures USA, Inc. (http://www.criterionpicusa.com/ ) Offers non-theatrical performance rights and 1 year contract to show all films from companies they represent including: Twentieth Century Fox, New Line Cinema/Fine Line Features, Warner Brothers, Tri- Star Pictures, Columbia Pictures, 20th Century Fox, Fox Searchlight, Sony Pictures, Motion International, Astral, Canadian Famous Players, Lions Gate Films, plus many more.
Some companies may also handle their own label, such as: Icarus Films, Women Make Movies, Films for the Humanities & Sciences, Kino International, Milestone Films.
Films in the Public Domain: The following link will take you to information from the Library of Congress on films in the public domain: http://www.loc.gov/rr/mopic/pubdomain.html
Last edited 7/25/2018