Copyright Guidelines for Film and Video

This site is intended to bring clarification of copyright laws and the rights to use copyrighted material to Washburn University faculty and staff. It is an overview of the licensing practices and copyright laws and issues relating to education.

As in the quiz, each situation must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The quiz and this site should give faculty/staff the ability to make those evaluations with regard to copyright laws.

The following will provide you with a basic framework to apply copyright law and Fair Use as it pertains to film and video.

Rules of Thumb 

Performance rules, as in Section 110 of the copyright law, must be adhered to:

• The public showing is part of a regular class.
• The showing is in an educational setting.
• The showing is not open to the public.

Fair Use guidelines and the factors that determine them should also be followed:

• The purpose and character of the use.
• The nature of the copyrighted work.
• The amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the whole work.
• The effect of the use on the potential market for or value of the work.

Public Domain materials can be used without copyright permission:

• publications dated 1922 or earlier
• works not including a copyright notice and first published before January 1, 1978
• most U.S. Government documents
• facts
• idea

Take a Copyright Quiz! 

In this quiz you will be asked a series of 4 True or False questions.

Copyright Quiz on Film & Video

Additional Resources 

Motion Picture Licensing Corporation - to obtain rights to motion pictures, an independent copyright licensing service.

Motion Picture Association of America

Film Artists Rights Foundation - rights pertaining to images and film.