Amazon Prime - Copyright Issues

[nelliott]

I've got a teacher asking to use Amazon Prime on the school network for a 'Film Club', surely this will breach Amazon's T&Cs when it comes to copyright...

 

Is this allowed in other schools?

[X-13]

I've got a teacher asking to use Amazon Prime on the school network for a 'Film Club', surely this will breach Amazon's T&Cs when it comes to copyright...

 

I'm pretty sure it's a violation of copyright laws. [iANAL]

 

Point them to FilmClub

 

Is this allowed in other schools?

 

I don't think so... but I think we've been having this discussion for years. [we = edugeek]

[steveg]

I contacted them about this, and apparently you can do it. This is the reply I got:

 

Hello Steve,

 

From your email, I understand that you would like to know whether you can show Prime Instant Videos to your students using your own account.

 

I can confirm that you can certainly show Prime Instant Videos to your students in school days using your own account.

 

You can identify videos included with your Amazon Prime membership by looking for the Prime logo and the "Watch Now" button on the video's detail page.

 

To browse Prime Instant Video titles visit:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/piv

 

I hope this helps. We look forward to seeing you again soon.

[pete]

That looks like a form letter response from a customer service rep who doesn't want to say no.

 

 

This disagrees: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/customer/display.html?ie=UTF8&nodeId=201422760

 

c. License to Digital Content. Subject to your payment of any applicable fees (including applicable taxes) to rent, purchase, or otherwise obtain access to Digital Content, and your compliance with all other terms we specify for Digital Content or the Digital Service, Amazon grants you a non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable, limited right and license, during the applicable Viewing Period, to access, view, use and display the Digital Content in accordance with the Usage Rules, for Non-Commercial, Private Use. As used herein, "Non-Commercial, Private Use" means a presentation of Digital Content for which no fee or consideration of any kind (other than that which you pay to us to view the Digital Content) is charged or received, which takes place in your private home or apartment or, if outside your private home or apartment (e.g., in a hotel room, student accommodation, office, or airport waiting lounge) is limited to a private viewing for you and your invitees. Non-Commercial, Private Use specifically excludes any public presentation (e.g., a presentation in a student accommodation lounge) and any presentation by a place of public accommodation or other commercial establishment (e.g., a bar or restaurant), even if no fee is charged for viewing the Digital Content.

 

though you could argue that they've shot themselves in the foot by including "office" if their intent was to prevent internal business/school use.

Edited June 1, 2015 by pete

[Joanne]

I don't think a classroom is public though... it's not like anyone could walk in or out is it?

[NB9457]

We've had teachers doing it for a while. It's for non profit and educational use and sometimes used as a reward. Doesn't bother me, I can't imagine anyone ever trying to take legal action on a School, just imagine the headlines and negative publicity the company would get over something petty.

[Joanne]

Plus if you have an e-mail off an official Amazon rep... then s'all good man.