Duncan Posted June 25, 2014 Posted June 25, 2014 Something this mission has adopted is the missionaries can watch an approved church movie, RM, Saratov...something... and approved Disney movies at an investigator/member night. So our ward invites everyone and friends and anyone they are teaching. So I got an approved movie. Apparently however some people think you aren't allowed to watch a movie in the Church because it violates copyright law. I have never in all my born days heard of that before does anyone know if watching a movie in the Church violate some law?
thesometimesaint Posted June 25, 2014 Posted June 25, 2014 In your own home, when no money has changed hands, copyright protections do not apply.
Duncan Posted June 25, 2014 Author Posted June 25, 2014 In your own home, when no money has changed hands, copyright protections do not apply. what about at a church building?
Maestrophil Posted June 25, 2014 Posted June 25, 2014 If you do not charge to see the showing and the gathering is not considered "extremely" large, then it does not violate copyright laws. Disclaimer - I work in media and live events, but am not an attorney... 2
bluebell Posted June 25, 2014 Posted June 25, 2014 We did this a couple of times at the church when I was a youth and the local movie theater ow we freaked out, claiming it was violating the copyright. We ended up having to stop doing it. 1
cinepro Posted June 25, 2014 Posted June 25, 2014 (edited) They are correct. When you buy or rent a DVD or Blu-ray, you are given a "license" to watch it privately at home. As explained by this company, which will provide the license for such a showing, The Federal Copyright Act (Title 17, United States code, Public Law 94-553, 90 Stat. 2541) governs how copyrighted materials, such as movies, may be utilized publicly. Neither the rental nor the purchase or lending of a videocassette or DVD carries with it the right to exhibit such a movie publicly outside the home, unless the site where the video is used is properly licensed for copyright compliant exhibition. This legal copyright compliance requirement applies to churches, parks and recreation departments, colleges, universities, public schools, day care facilities, summer camps, private clubs, prisons, lodges, businesses, etc. regardless of whether admission is charged, whether the institution is commercial or non-profit or whether a federal, state or local agency is involved. http://religious.swankmp.com/copyright Now, obviously there is the issue of enforcement. You can probably watch something at a Church activity and not have the sheriff beat down your door. But if you want to abide by the law, that's the law. Edited June 25, 2014 by cinepro 2
Duncan Posted June 25, 2014 Author Posted June 25, 2014 We did this a couple of times at the church when I was a youth and the local movie theater ow we freaked out, claiming it was violating the copyright. We ended up having to stop doing it. that's bananas, I recall watching a TON of movies and listening to recordings in YM! and no one said a thing! 1
cinepro Posted June 25, 2014 Posted June 25, 2014 (edited) that's bananas, I recall watching a TON of movies and listening to recordings in YM! and no one said a thing! Listening to recordings is different. You can listen to recordings in a "private" setting with no problem. Interestingly, you can even be a mobile DJ and not have to pay any "fees" for playing recorded music off of a CD. It's actually the club or other business that must pay the fees. Some people mistakenly assume that musicians and entertainers must obtain licenses to perform copyrighted music or that businesses where music is performed can shift their responsibility to musicians or entertainers. The law says all who participate in, or are responsible for, performances of music are legally responsible. Since it is the business owner who obtains the ultimate benefit from the performance, it is the business owner who obtains the license. Music license fees are one of the many costs of doing business. http://www.ascap.com/licensing/licensingfaq.aspx#general If you're a DJ at a wedding or other private party, then no fees are needed. Edited June 25, 2014 by cinepro 1
bluebell Posted June 25, 2014 Posted June 25, 2014 that's bananas, I recall watching a TON of movies and listening to recordings in YM! and no one said a thing!It was kind of silly because it's not like we would have been at the theater on a Wednesday night if the church hadn't of been showing a three year old Disney movie, but oh well. 2
awyatt Posted June 25, 2014 Posted June 25, 2014 Something this mission has adopted is the missionaries can watch an approved church movie, RM, Saratov...something... and approved Disney movies at an investigator/member night. So our ward invites everyone and friends and anyone they are teaching. So I got an approved movie. Apparently however some people think you aren't allowed to watch a movie in the Church because it violates copyright law. I have never in all my born days heard of that before does anyone know if watching a movie in the Church violate some law?It violates US law and, perhaps, the laws of some other countries. Besides that, though, it violates Church policy. See handbook 2, section 21.1.12. Here is the boiled-down version: Can I show commercial audiovisual products at Church functions? Generally not. Church members should not violate warnings and restrictions that are placed on commercial audiovisual products. Using commercial audiovisual products at Church functions generally requires permission from the copyright owners. Notice it says "Church functions" and that makes no differentiation as to where the function is held. It is in violation of Church policy, therefore, to show a movie in a private home under the auspices of the Church without having procured, in writing, permission from the copyright holder. Church movies are exempt; see the handbook for more info. -Allen 1
Calm Posted June 25, 2014 Posted June 25, 2014 We did this a couple of times at the church when I was a youth and the local movie theater ow we freaked out, claiming it was violating the copyright. We ended up having to stop doing it.We had 'drive in movie night' at the community center in BYU married student housing, it was used for church but wasn't officially a church but it wasn't a home either. Kids made cars out of cardboard. It was going to be a monthly family activity. We held it once, can't remember the movie and the PTB said no more.As a librarian we are told only church distribution material should be in the library and used in church classes, so those Primary classes that had animated scripture stories (not the church ones) shouldn't have been used...but that didn't stop a few teachers I know. For awhile I didn't even use the teacher aid stuff if it was produced by the Church, but I figured if it was sold out of DB that was going farther than the Church intended so we just didn't keep it in the library, but if teachers wanted to use them for making visual aids or hand outs, why not.
Duncan Posted June 25, 2014 Author Posted June 25, 2014 (edited) It violates US law and, perhaps, the laws of some other countries. Besides that, though, it violates Church policy. See handbook 2, section 21.1.12. Here is the boiled-down version: Notice it says "Church functions" and that makes no differentiation as to where the function is held. It is in violation of Church policy, therefore, to show a movie in a private home under the auspices of the Church without having procured, in writing, permission from the copyright holder. Church movies are exempt; see the handbook for more info. -Allen that's interesting so any and all plays, reading any non scripture quotations, non hymn book music it seems, dances (choreographed anyways, is there a choregrapher present at youth dances?!) is against the book? Hmmm, in regards to singing i'll have to remember that next time the choir folks get after me! Edited June 25, 2014 by Duncan
cinepro Posted June 25, 2014 Posted June 25, 2014 (edited) that's interesting so any and all plays, non hymn book music it seems, dances (choreographed anyways, is there a choregrapher present at youth dances?) is against the book? i'll have to remember that next time the choir folks get after me! If a choir wishes to perform copyrighted music, I believe they generally have to buy a copy of the sheet music for each member. There are special licenses and rules for this; obviously choral composers want their work to be performed as much as possible, but they also want to be paid. If a song or arrangement isn't in the public domain, then you should check what the licensing requirements are for it, and if the choir isn't following them, then yes, your are violating church policy (as well as the law). http://blog.chrisrowbury.com/2010/08/songs-and-copyright-4-how-law-works.html Edited June 25, 2014 by cinepro 2
mnn727 Posted June 25, 2014 Posted June 25, 2014 that's interesting so any and all plays, reading any non scripture quotations, non hymn book music it seems, dances (choreographed anyways, is there a choregrapher present at youth dances?!) is against the book? Hmmm, in regards to singing i'll have to remember that next time the choir folks get after me!No, it says 'movies' onlyOther items have their own rules/laws
sdc999 Posted June 25, 2014 Posted June 25, 2014 There are companies that you can pay yearly dues to that allow you to show movies in this capacity without violating copyright laws. There are towns that do free movies on the square and we currently do this at our church. It's a minimal charge if I recall. $500ish a year maybe. You may check out CVLI. They specialize in this. 1
gtaggart Posted June 25, 2014 Posted June 25, 2014 Long ago in a land far away, I was the Elders Quorum President. I had a cousin in LA who was in the film business. He somehow secured a bootleg copy of one of the first two Star Wars movies (can't remember which). He sent it to me before its release, and I organized a showing of the movie in the Relief Society room. A large crowd showed up to watch. Brain dead as I was, I didn't give what I did a second thought until a few years later. Oh well. 2
Popular Post Lachonius Posted June 25, 2014 Popular Post Posted June 25, 2014 We did an outdoor showing of Pixar's Cars a couple of years ago for a ward movie night. If I recall correctly, any showing where more than 40 people are present is considered a public viewing, and requires a copyright release. I cost about $200 for the permit. We had over a hundred people show up, so the investment was worth it. As a side note, when we called about securing the copyright release, the agent immediately knew which church we were with, because he said we are the only one who ever calls to secure the copyright release. I took that as a tremendous compliment. 7
strappinglad Posted June 26, 2014 Posted June 26, 2014 In today's world there is less and less that you buy that is actually yours. Even your body is not yours until the government says it is. If I tile a shower ,I get paid for my work. Too bad I can't get a bit of money every time someone showers. 1
Tacenda Posted June 26, 2014 Posted June 26, 2014 (edited) We did an outdoor showing of Pixar's Cars a couple of years ago for a ward movie night. If I recall correctly, any showing where more than 40 people are present is considered a public viewing, and requires a copyright release. I cost about $200 for the permit. We had over a hundred people show up, so the investment was worth it. As a side note, when we called about securing the copyright release, the agent immediately knew which church we were with, because he said we are the only one who ever calls to secure the copyright release. I took that as a tremendous compliment.Par for the course! Edited June 26, 2014 by Tacenda
Rain Posted June 26, 2014 Posted June 26, 2014 When I was in homemaking 10/15 or so years ago there was a large list of movies that could be shown at the church legally. We used it for planning an activity once. I have no idea where the list came from. 1
cinepro Posted June 27, 2014 Posted June 27, 2014 When I was in homemaking 10/15 or so years ago there was a large list of movies that could be shown at the church legally. We used it for planning an activity once. I have no idea where the list came from. You could use this list: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_films_in_the_public_domain_in_the_United_States
Tiki Posted June 28, 2014 Posted June 28, 2014 Thanks cinepro."The Brain That Wouldn't Die" is out of copyright.http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Brain_that_Wouldn%27t_Die
BCSpace Posted June 29, 2014 Posted June 29, 2014 Something this mission has adopted is the missionaries can watch an approved church movie, RM, Saratov...something... and approved Disney movies at an investigator/member night. Speaking of Church approved movies, in my first month in the mission field, my zone was the top baptizing zone and therefore got to have a party with the Mission President at the mission home and watch movies. Since I was new, everyone asked what movies were out there that most hadn't seen. I recommended Back To The Future and The Gods Must Be Crazy. Some were really worried about the second one, whether or not it would be appropriate because of the title, and no one had ever heard of it. However, I cringed during some scenes of Back To The Future that I had forgotten about. Both movies were crowd pleasers and everyone including the Prez and his wife seemed especially delighted with The Gods Must Be Crazy. Of course this was back well before they raised the bar.... 1
Duncan Posted June 30, 2014 Author Posted June 30, 2014 Speaking of Church approved movies, in my first month in the mission field, my zone was the top baptizing zone and therefore got to have a party with the Mission President at the mission home and watch movies. Since I was new, everyone asked what movies were out there that most hadn't seen. I recommended Back To The Future and The Gods Must Be Crazy. Some were really worried about the second one, whether or not it would be appropriate because of the title, and no one had ever heard of it. However, I cringed during some scenes of Back To The Future that I had forgotten about. Both movies were crowd pleasers and everyone including the Prez and his wife seemed especially delighted with The Gods Must Be Crazy. Of course this was back well before they raised the bar.... as I recall we served in the same basic area and one time I had a Bishop and us watched some movie about Penguins or something simply because he made a pact some years before that he would watch a movie with the first set of elders who baptized a family and it was yours truly and his greenie Elder Green! 1
Recommended Posts