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Western Carolina University

Viewing Rights: Home

Guide to finding and understanding viewing rights to DVD and streaming content at Western Carolina University Hunter Library.

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Kinds of Viewing Rights

  • Public Performance Rights: Public Performance Rights (PPR) are the legal rights to publicly show a film or video. Normally the media producer or distributor manages these rights. The rights-holder can assign PPR to others through a Public Performance License, and what is permitted through that license can vary from one rights-holder to another. If the library has paid for a PPR license, then the film may be shown in public as well as in classrooms, and any additional usage stipulations will be noted in the catalog record (see below). 

Library catalog entry of The Chemistry Tutor

  • Educational Rights: In licenses, these may also be referred to as classroom rights or institutional rights, and they all mean the same thing. When a DVD or VHS is purchased, the purchaser has also acquired a Life of Copy License. The license extends for the lifespan of the piece of media. Any media the library has purchased can be shown in a course environment by virtue of the Life of Copy License.

Do I need Public Performance Rights?

Yes No
If the screening is open to the public, even if that public is other students. This includes film series and student clubs or organizations. If you are privately viewing the film, for instance in your room with a small group of friends.
If you are showing in a class where non students will also be in attendance. If an instructor is showing the film in a course to registered students.
  If the library has already obtained PPR rights as evidenced by the notation in the catalog record for the film. Also all Films on Demand streaming videos are licensed with PPR. For questions contact the library.

Screening media in the context of face-to-face teaching in the service of regular curricula.  See:

Rights available upon purchase

Should you need viewing rights beyond those covered by educational use, please discuss with your liaison the possibility of acquiring Public Performance Rights. The Collections Advisory Committee will take these requests into consideration.

Streaming film information