The Copyright Act of 1976 governs the rights of reproduction, adaptation, distribution, and public performance and display.
All movies shown in Prince George's County Public Schools (PGCPS) must be evaluated and approved in accordance with Prince George’s County Public Schools Administrative Procedure 6180.2, Evaluation of Library Media Materials. Movies must also comply with the Motion Picture Association of America rating system for obtaining parental permission if necessary.
Netflix, Amazon Instant Video or Instant Prime Video, Hulu, and other Internet-based streaming services do not fall under the exception rule.
Public performance rights are required for movies shown in any non-instructional capacity including after-school events, Parent-Teacher-Student Association family movie nights, following testing, end of school/pre-holiday events, lunch-hour, assemblies, etc.
Information regarding a possible resource that provides public performance site licensing ad single-use licensing for schools and groups showing movies in a non-instructional capacity is available through the Office of Library Media Services Google site. Contact the vendor directly to confirm annual pricing information.
https://www.mpaa.org/film-ratings/
https://www.commonsense.org/education/
Williams College: Copyright Law Video Recordings and Public Performance Rights for Library Materials
If you want to show a copyrighted film in a public setting, you will need to contact one of these licensing service companies to obtain permission.
8238-40 Lehigh
Morton Grove, IL 60053-2615
1-800-890-9494 or 1-847-470-8164
Fax: 1-847-470-8194
Email: greatmovies@media2.criterionpic.com
Kino International Corp. 333 W. 39th Street, Ste. 503
New York, N.Y. 10018
1-800-562-3330 or 1-212-629-6880
Fax: 1-212-714-0871
Email: contact@kino.com or filmrentals@kino.com
Milestone Film & Video P.O. Box 128
Harrington Park, NJ 07640-0128
1-800-603-1104 or 1-201-767-3117
Fax: 1-201-767-3035
Email: info@milestonefilms.com
Motion Picture Licensing Corporation (MPLC)
5455 Centinela Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90066-6970
1-800-462-8855 or 1-310-822-8855
Fax 1-310-822-4440
Email: info@mplc.com