Movie Night Events

Commercial films and televisions shows are protected by copyright law, and may not be shown in any public setting on campus without first obtaining a public performance license from the copyright owner. A public setting is any venue on campus outside of an individual student's dorm room. (Students who rent or buy films on videotape or DVD may view those films privately in their dorm room.) Even if an event is restricted to a certain group of students, such as members of a particular club, a license must be obtained in order to show a film or television show at the event. These copyright restrictions apply whether or not a fee will be charged for admission to the event.

Rights for public performance must be secured within 10 days of the scheduled event. Proof of license must be submitted to both the advising and or event management office. Failure to provide the timely submission of proof of license will lead to the cancellation of the space reservation and the subsequent event.

Student organizations found in violation of the law and University policies described above will risk de-recognition and could be subject to other penalties.

HOW TO CLEAR A MOVIE FOR 'MOVIE NIGHT' IN LERNER HALL

  1. CHOOSE YOUR MOVIE. In this connection, there are two principal companies who license films on behalf of the film companies: Swank Motion Pictures (http://www.swank.com) and Criterion Motion Pictures (http://www.criterionpicusa.com). The websites for these companies list the films they represent and provide contact information. If the film or show that you wish to license is not listed on either of these websites, set forth below is information as to how to clear the rights:
  2. LOOK AT THE PACKAGING BOX THE DVD/VHS MOVIE COMES IN.
  3. FIND THE COPYRIGHT NOTICE. THIS IS USUALLY WRITTEN © [DATE].
    Examples: © 1981 or © 2004
  4. LOCATE THE COMPANY NAME THAT APPEARS WITH THE © SYMBOL
    Example:
    20th Century Film Corporation
    Sony Picture Entertainment
    MCA, Inc.
    MGM/United Artists
    Universal
    Paramount Pictures Corporation
    Warner Bros.
  5. GO ON THE INTERNET AND LOCATE THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE COMPANY. THIS INFORMATION IS OFTEN FOUND IN THE "CONTACT US" SECTION OF A WEBSITE.
  6. CALL OR EMAIL THE COMPANY WITH YOUR REQUEST. WEBSITES [ESPECIALLY CORPORATE WEBSITES] OFTEN HAVE A SECTION WHERE YOU CAN SEND AN EMAIL. YOU SHOULD PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:
    1. THE MOVIE YOU ARE INTERESTED IN SHOWING.
      Example: Matrix
    2. IS YOUR COPY A DVD OR A VHS TAPE?
      Example: "We are renting a DVD copy of your great movie and showing it on a television monitor."
    3. THE PLACE YOU ARE SHOWING YOUR MOVIE.
      Example:
      Alfred Lerner Hall Room 477
      2920 Broadway
      New York, NY 10027
    4. THE DATE YOU ARE SHOWING YOUR MOVIE.
      Example: December 7, 2005 at 8:00 pm
    5. THE ANTICIPATED SIZE OF YOUR AUDIENCE.
      Example: Either the Room Capacity or the expected attendance.
    6. WHETHER YOU ARE CHARGING ADMISSION
      Example: Admission free to our group members.
    7. THE NAME OF YOUR GROUP
      Example:
      The 'We Like to Show Movies' Club
      Activities Board of Columbia-recognized group.
    8. YOUR NAME and CONTACT INFO
    9. YOUR ADVISOR'S NAME AND CONTACT INFO WITH A FAX #
      Example:
      xxxxxxxxxx, Advisor
      Tel: (212) 854-XXXX
      Student Development & Activities
      515 Alfred Lerner Hall, MC 2601
      2920 Broadway
      New York, NY 10027
      FAX: (212) 854-6972
      Example:
      xxxxxxxx, Advisor
      Tel: (212) 854-XXXX
      Office of Multicultural Affairs
      401 Alfred Lerner Hall, MC 2607
      2920 Broadway
      New York, NY 10027
      FAX: (212) 854-9801
  7. IF THE COPYRIGHT OWNER GRANTS YOUR REQUEST, IT WILL GENERALLY BE FOR A FEE IN THE RANGE OF $300 - $500. IF THE COPYRIGHT OWNER DENIES YOUR REQUEST, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SHOW THE FILM IN QUESTION AT THE EVENT.