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





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