Pamela,

I think that any institution or organization invovled with art,
history, science, or culture should do their utmost to follow the law
as it applies to copyright and intellectual property. It is my
understanding that just by virtue of the fact that you are an
organization or institution means that any showing of a film to any
sort of assembly of visitors,or even staff, however small, constitutes
public and NOT private use. The same goes for any excepts or edited
versions of films, perfomances, etc. Unless you expressly own the film
you will need to see if you can negotiate a low fee or graits
permission from the distributor to show the film.

There are some films (and music) that are in the public domain and it
should be fairly easy to do some research to find some of those
resources.

I am sure that there are many on this list better versed in this than
I who may be able to give you a more comprehensive answer.

Cheers!
Dave

David Harvey
Conservator
Los Angeles, California

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