United States copyright law clearly allows DVDs, videos, and films to be used for classroom instruction. As of October 24, 2012 (under US copyright law section 1201 updated every three years by the Librarian of Congress), professors and students are also permitted to use excerpts from motion pictures or films to create clip compilations and new works made for the purpose of criticism or comment, such as documentaries or "video essays."
Showing a film from the Healey collection to a group outside of the classroom setting requires performance rights. If the library catalog record for the film does not clearly state that public performance rights are granted, then the person or group interested in showing the film must independently contact the copyright holder to confirm, negotiate, or purchase film performance rights.
For more information about procuring performance rights, contact the Motion Picture Licensing Corporation, Movie Licensing USA, and Swank Motion Pictures, Inc.; all grant public performance rights.
To find the most up-to-date listing of video and media databases available at Healey Library, visit our databases page.