Showing Movies (Policy #1230)

UW-Whitewater student organizations are required to follow a number of rules regarding movie showings on campus and wherever the showing is related to organization activity. Review this document to understand why these rules exist, and the circumstances and methods through which movies can legally be shown by student organizations and other groups at UW-Whitewater. 

Student Activities and Involvement (SAI)

This policy applies to all student organizations and other groups at UW-Whitewater intending to show movies.

Copyright Regulations

The Copyright Act deems it unlawful to show a film in public without the explicit permission of the film's copyright owner. Renting or purchasing a film gives the customer the right to view the film, but not to show it in public. The Copyright Act defines "public" in this context as "any place where a substantial number of persons outside of a normal circle of a family and its social acquaintances is gathered."

Several major production and distribution companies-Columbia, MGM, Paramount, Orion, and others-have given notice that arrangements to show their films publicly on university campuses can be made through Swank Motion Pictures. All students who wish to show films under circumstances that are likely to be considered "public" are urged to email involvement@uww.edu to arrange for appropriate permission through Swank. 

Public Performance Rights

Commercial films and videotapes/DVDs have copyrights that restrict the manner in which they can be shown. Two specific restrictions raise issues for students wishing to show films: 

• The first is the issue of "home" versus "public" viewings. If you rent a film or a videotape/DVD, you always have permission to show it in your home. Wisconsin System Legal (the University’s lawyer) feels that UW-Whitewater residence hall rooms meet the requirement as homes. However, no other UW-Whitewater buildings qualify.
• The second issue is the charging of an admission (or viewing) fee. This always requires an explicit public performance right. 

Thus if you wish to show a film outside your residence hall room and/or charge money, you must have an acceptable public performance right. To obtain these rights: 

1. Renting the film from a distributor. (The cost of this solution varies with the popularity of the movie.) Student Activities & Involvement keeps information on file for your use.
2. Getting written public performance rights from the copyright holder. (A letter from the company, filmmaker, producer, or director of the film.) 

University staff and/or equipment cannot be used to show the film unless you have obtained the appropriate performance rights. The University Center will require that you bring a copy of your rental agreement or other paper documentation to the event in order for the event to be shown. 

When movies are shown as part of a course, different rules apply. 

Additional Guidelines for Showing Films

Any student group or organization borrowing commercial films must follow all copyright regulations as well as expectations outlined below:

• If admission is charged, any surplus revenue shall be used to further the educational goals of the sponsoring organization, as outlined in its constitution. 
• The showing of commercial films by student organizations is done under the following regulations:
  • advertising must be restricted to the UW-Whitewater campus community;
  • the recognized student organization, or other appropriate committee will be responsible for the screening of films and for financial arrangements.
• Organizations showing films must conform to all applicable city and state fire regulations.
• If interested in purchasing rights to a movie through Swank Motion Pictures, staff in Student Activities & Involvement can help recognized student organizations or campus departments to do so at a discounted rate. 

Last Amended: July 14, 2022

July 2027

Questions regarding the interpretation of this policy should be directed to:

Student Activities and Involvment

Telephone: 262-472-6217