Public Performance Rights are the legal rights to publicly show a film or video, whether streaming or in a physical format. It is a public performance if any of the following are true:
- The screening is open to the public
- The screening is in a public space (dorm lounge, library, auditorium, etc.)
- Access is not restricted
- Persons attending are outside the normal circle of a family and its acquaintances
PPR are not required for:
- Home viewing
- Showing a video to registered students in a classroom, where the content of the film directly relates to the course: Section 110(1) of the Copyright Law, Title 17, U.S. Code: provides an exemption for certain educational uses of video recordings. Specifically, it allows for "performance or display of a work by instructors or pupils in the course of face-to-face teaching activities of a nonprofit educational institution, in a classroom or similar place devoted to instruction."
PPR are required for all screenings of copyrighted media to audiences outside of regular classroom activity. Examples:
- Student club events
- Sponsored extracurricular events
- Film festival