Screening library streaming and physical media in in-person or online classes is allowable under Fair Use. Faculty who want more information on screening films online, through Zoom, or in the classroom should consult our Faculty Services page.
Screen Library VHS/DVDs
Screening films to campus groups outside the classroom requires public performance rights (PPR). The great majority of media in the library does not have PPR, and screening it for a public audience is unauthorized. If you are curious if the library has rights to a film you wish to screen, look it up using the Library Search and click on its record. If it has rights attached to it, the record will have a note entitled "Public Performance Rights." Most films that have PPR can only be screened on campus to Mason students and employees.
Screen Streaming Films
The library has access to several databases of films with Public Performance Rights. Films in Kanopy, Swank, Docuseek, and Films on Demand come with PPR, but with the following stipulations:
1. Films must be screened on campus
2. A profit cannot be made from the screening
3. The screening cannot be advertised to populations off campus
4. Films can only be screened for Mason students and employees.
If you are unsure if you can screen a film on campus, please contact the media specialist: LeighAnn Skeen, lskeen@gmu.edu