Preview of own or others' documentary/films?

[Sharp-Shooter]

Two quick questions.

If I wish to show my completed documentary or films to the public, say by renting a good conference room / theatre type hall in a banquet hall etc. are there any legal restrictions? What is the right/legal way to do this?

Secondly, I find so many good documentaries and sometimes I feel more and more people should see it... so if I buy a legal copy, a DVD etc, and show it (on a large screen tv or projector) to a group of students or volunters or people interested in seeing it... not for any charge... is it legal? or what is the right/legal way to do it? Can I advertise in a newpaper of such a preview happening?

Thanks a ton!!

 

[J_Barnes]

Re: Preview of own or others' documentary/films?

I know as far as your documentary...you need to make sure you have a copyright statement at the head of the doc, or read one aloud. If you show it in public without expressing copyright ownership, the documentary in effect becomes public domain and you relinquish any and all rights to it.

As far as showing other documentaries...I don't honestly know what the legal restrictions are. I think in educational settings, they usually don't have restrictions, and there are plenty of bars and coffee houses showing movies on certain nights...but is it legal? I don't know for sure.

I don't think I'd advertise it though, that just seems like inviting trouble to me.

 

[noj_brla]

Re: Preview of own or others' documentary/films?

That's kind of the same thing that we have going on in the CinemaClub where I go to school. We show movies on our meeting nights. As far as we've found out, an public viewing is technically "illegal" according to the WARNING things at the beginning of films, but if it's a group of people like our club or just your friends and stuff then we believe it's not considered a "Public" viewing. Now, charging admission makes this whole connundrum worse, because then Idon't know for sure. That's about all I know on the subject.

Jon