video library

[sharonlouise]

my friend and i were talking about our kids videos and we were going to donate the videos to the school which our kids go to which is a small primary 95 kids and possibly run a video library for the winter months but she said that she dont think you are allowed to do this, is this true as its a great shame for them to miss out

 

[Buenchico]

The answer to your question is at the start of every video you've ever watched. (It's that bit you always fast-forward over). I've just put a tape in and pressed the Pause button so I can reproduce it here. (The capitals are mine):

"This video cassette may be used to show the motion picture/programme only in private homes to which the general public is not invited and/or to which an entrance fee is not charged. Any other unauthorised manner of exhibition and any broadcast, public performance, diffusion, editing, copying, reselling and HIRING, in whole or in part, is prohibited. THIS PROHIBITION MAY BE ENFORCED BY LEGAL ACTION".

Any Headteacher, who's read the memo's which will doubtless have come from their education authority, would be very wary of having anything to do with a video library. (Schools are frequently reminded, for example, that a teacher must not rent a copy of Henry V and show it to his English class. This is strictly illegal and would be a disciplinary offence).

Sorry!

Chris

[wideboy]

Buenchico, you highlighted HIRING but not the BROADCAST and PUBLIC PERFORMANCE bit. If they run a 'library' then certainly they can't show to a class or take payment for someone to borrow the videos. However, what is to stop the 'library' from allowing the pupils to take the videos home to watch for free. As sharonlouise says, it is a pity for them to miss out. I would also hate to see the videos just dumped.

[Buenchico]

Valid points, Wideboy. You're probably correct, legally. It's just that having been in teaching (and a regional secretary for a teaching trades union) I know that most headteachers tend to 'play safe' rather than bothering to check out the finer points of the law.

Chris

[wideboy]

You're right, Buenchico, and, still being in teaching, I also know what people get up to with videos!