You still need to obtain a license to show a film in a public setting. The nature of the license changes depending on whether the showing is publicized, whether separate admission is charged, and whether it is open to the general public versus a restricted audience such as group tours or members, but some kind of license is still needed to show a film in a public institution. This is why there are disclaimers at the beginning of all film DVDs stating that they are for home use only. Ann Mintz ----- Original Message ----- From: PELBE To: [log in to unmask] Sent: Wednesday, August 30, 2006 2:59 PM Subject: Film screenings at museums I know that this topic has come up on the list before, but I did not have much luck searching the archives. Staff members at our museum are interested in showing films or possibly doing a film series at the museum. I am pretty sure that even though we would not charge admission to the showing or to the museum in general that we still need to get some sort of performance licensing. I think some of our staff are under the impression that if, say, we show a film in conjunction with a scheduled tour group (and don't advertise the showing), that we don't need to worry about licensing. In her words, "What's the difference between that and watching it at home [with a group]." Some clarification, please. Thanks! Pamela Elbe Collections Manager and Archivist National Museum of American Jewish Military History 1811 R Street NW Washington, DC 20009 http://www.nmajmh.org ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.11.7/433 - Release Date: 8/30/2006 ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).