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• Policies and Procedures

Individuals or groups wishing to show a VHS or DVD in rooms reserved by Campus Life and Student Engagement may do so only if:

• Written copyright permission has been granted
• The event is educational (i.e., for a class ) and is facilitated by a faculty member. 
• If written copyright permission is purchased and appropriate facility reservations are made, It is then the responsibility of the organization or NSU department to provide and arrangement the audio/visual equipment and operation.
• An admission or viewing fee cannot be charged unless written copyright permission has been granted.

Copyright Regulations

The Federal Copyright Act makes it unlawful to show a film in public without the explicit permission of the film's copyright owner. Renting or purchasing a VHS or DVD at a local video store or elsewhere gives the customer the right to view the film, but not to show it in public. The Copyright Act defines "public" in this context as "any place where a substantial number of persons outside of a normal circle of a family and its social acquaintances is gathered."

Several major production and distribution companies have arranged for university campuses to show their films publicly by calling Swank Motion Pictures, Inc. at 800-876-5577 to obtain/purchase rights. All interested parties who wish to show films under circumstances that are likely to be considered "public" are urged to call this organization to arrange for appropriate permission.