Copyrights, Ethical Use of Images & Intellectual Property
Contact
Center for Student Leadership & Engagement2nd Floor, Campus Center 651-696-6569
csle@macalester.edu
Hours
Copying Code of Ethics
Macalester College honors intellectual property, respects the privacy of data, and recognizes the rights of others. Each individual has a responsibility in turn to use copying technology in an ethical manner. Anything less than adherence to the letter and spirit of copyright laws and regulations is unethical. Respect for intellectual labor and creativity is vital to academic discourse and enterprise. This principle applies to works of all authors and publishers in media. It encompasses respect for the right to acknowledge, right to privacy, and right to determine the form, manner, and terms of publication and distribution.
Because printed and recorded information is easily reproduced, respect for the work and personal expression of others is critical. Violations of authorial integrity, including plagiarism, invasion of privacy, unauthorized access, and trade secret and copyright violations may be grounds for sanctions against members of the academic community. At Macalester, violation of the Copying Code of Ethics may subject the offending individual or organization to disciplinary action.
Use of Macalester Name/Logo
Chartered student organizations cannot speak or issue statements on behalf of the college in an official capacity. Only the trustees, president, or faculty voting as a group can take an official position on behalf of the college. Student organizations or their representatives may not imply, in any way, that they represent the college in an official capacity.
Student organizations cannot use the Macalester name or logos without expressed permission from the Communications office. To acquire these logo images for your use, please contact Julie Hogan, Director of Creative Services ([email protected]). Student organizations should comply with the Macalester college style guide. If you use a logo as an organization on social media or other places, please ensure it abides by the Macalester guidance of logo use.
Movie/Video Screening FAQ
Federal copyright law (Title 17 of the U.S. Code) governs how copyrighted materials, such as films and TV shows, may be used. To screen a film or TV show for a public viewing, you must obtain a public performance license.
What is a “public viewing” according to copyright law?
A screening is considered public if it is being shown outside of a private living space (e.g., your room) and is not limited to a private audience. Additionally, a screening is considered public if it is advertised or promoted in any way. For example, watching a movie with some of your friends in your room would not require you to obtain a public performance license. However, if your organization wanted to host a virtual movie night and advertise it to Mac students, you would need to obtain a public performance license.
If I own a movie or TV show, or subscribe to Netflix, can I show it without paying for the rights?
No. Neither the rental nor the purchase of a DVD or online streaming service carries the right to show the material in a public setting.
How much does it cost to purchase the license?
The amount to purchase the public performance license varies depending on the film itself and the number of people to whom you are showing the movie. If you have a movie in mind, you can request a quote from one of the companies listed below.
Obtaining rights
- Videos or films should be rented from companies who hold the rights to the movies.
- Companies to contact regarding obtaining rights are:
CSLE has accounts with the above-mentioned movie vendors. If you need help securing the rights for a film, please contact [email protected].
Consequences of not obtaining rights
- Criminal penalty for willful violation of the Copyright Act is up to one year in jail and/or a $25,000 fine. Inadvertent or innocent violations may bring substantial civil penalties.
Please also note that the Library purchases public performance rights for some films they have on DVD and films in their streaming Libraries including Swank and Kanopy. Contact Denise Tyburski in the Library ([email protected]) for more information and to confirm whether they have the public performance rights for your film. Additionally, the Library has a subscription to Kanopy Streaming which includes a broad selection of documentaries, feature films and training videos from thousands of producers. All of the films on Kanopy Streaming include public performance rights as long as there is no charge for students to attend the screening.