4 ms·

I've seen some theaters that show Sherlock and other high-production TV, and they seem to do quite well with it. I haven't heard about GoT, though. As an side

I've seen some theaters that show Sherlock and other high-production TV, and they seem to do quite well with it. I haven't heard about GoT, though. As an side - what would the legality be if a group of people "booked" a theater to air a TV show? Would the theater or viewers be liable for holding a commercial screening using a private copy of the thing?

tomjen3 9y ago
>We’re not open to the general public. Do we still need a license? >Yes. According to Senate Report No. 94-473, p. 60, “performances in ‘semipublic’ places such as clubs, lodges, factories, summer camps and schools are ‘public performances’ subject to copyright control.” https://www.mplc.org/page/faqs https://www.mplc.org/page/faqs That presumably depends on whether the screening is only for e.g your family. Consult a lawyer.
- schoen 9y ago
  The surprising breadth of "public performance" is the basis for the famous Girl Scout copyright royalty demand http://www.nytimes.com/1996/12/17/nyregion/ascap-asks-royalties-from-girl-scouts-and-regrets-it.html http://www.nytimes.com/1996/12/17/nyregion/ascap-asks-royalt... Movie theaters are familiar with risks in this area, so they might have their own rules about what you can and can't watch when you rent out a theater.
- Bartweiss 9y ago
  Thanks for the source! Also, wow. I figured "rent a theater with strangers for a viewing" would be over the line, but I didn't realize that showing a DVD at a summer camp is technically illegal.
jsjohnst 9y ago
Back a decade ago I did all the tech setup to host a presidential election debate viewing at the Kobuki Theater in SF. I don't know the legality for sure, but I was lead to believe as long as it was invite only and you didn't charge for attending, it was legal. Again, IANAL, but I think as long as it's truly a private event among friends, I think you should be ok.
- ValentineC 9y ago
  > I was lead to believe as long as it was invite only and you didn't charge for attending, it was legal. The UK seems to require a 'non-theatrical' film licence [1][2] for: - at one-off events - at film clubs - whether or not you sell tickets - in common areas for guests, residents and passengers - in retail and entertainment venues [1] https://www.gov.uk/showing-films-in-public https://www.gov.uk/showing-films-in-public [2] https://blogs.ucl.ac.uk/copyright/2014/08/01/film-clubs/ https://blogs.ucl.ac.uk/copyright/2014/08/01/film-clubs/

tomjen3 9y ago

>We’re not open to the general public. Do we still need a license? >Yes. According to Senate Report No. 94-473, p. 60, “performances in ‘semipublic’ places such as clubs, lodges, factories, summer camps and schools are ‘public performances’ subject to copyright control.” https://www.mplc.org/page/faqs https://www.mplc.org/page/faqs That presumably depends on whether the screening is only for e.g your family. Consult a lawyer.

schoen 9y ago
The surprising breadth of "public performance" is the basis for the famous Girl Scout copyright royalty demand http://www.nytimes.com/1996/12/17/nyregion/ascap-asks-royalties-from-girl-scouts-and-regrets-it.html http://www.nytimes.com/1996/12/17/nyregion/ascap-asks-royalt... Movie theaters are familiar with risks in this area, so they might have their own rules about what you can and can't watch when you rent out a theater.
Bartweiss 9y ago
Thanks for the source! Also, wow. I figured "rent a theater with strangers for a viewing" would be over the line, but I didn't realize that showing a DVD at a summer camp is technically illegal.

jsjohnst 9y ago

Back a decade ago I did all the tech setup to host a presidential election debate viewing at the Kobuki Theater in SF. I don't know the legality for sure, but I was lead to believe as long as it was invite only and you didn't charge for attending, it was legal. Again, IANAL, but I think as long as it's truly a private event among friends, I think you should be ok.

ValentineC 9y ago
> I was lead to believe as long as it was invite only and you didn't charge for attending, it was legal. The UK seems to require a 'non-theatrical' film licence [1][2] for: - at one-off events - at film clubs - whether or not you sell tickets - in common areas for guests, residents and passengers - in retail and entertainment venues [1] https://www.gov.uk/showing-films-in-public https://www.gov.uk/showing-films-in-public [2] https://blogs.ucl.ac.uk/copyright/2014/08/01/film-clubs/ https://blogs.ucl.ac.uk/copyright/2014/08/01/film-clubs/