Fun with copyright

[_Bob_]

I'm sure there's plenty of views on the state of copyright law, DRM etc. out there (especially amongst the FOSS lot ) but this earlier thread got me thinking

http://www.edugeek.net/index.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=778&highlight=dvd

 

This standard scary copyright warning excludes school use of pretty much every commercially availible DVD.

Quote:

"The copyright holder has licensed this dvd for home use... The definition of home use excludes the use of this dvd at locations such as .... schools."

 

Has anybody run into problems with this? If everyone sticks to the letter of the law it does seem to make the investment in DVD drives and players pretty pointless.

[Geoff]

You need a public entertainment license. This costs lots of money. Getting sued costs potentially more.

[MkII]

Interesting point Bob / Geoff.

 

Something else generally overlooked.

[_Bob_]

You need a public entertainment license. This costs lots of money. Getting sued costs potentially more.

 

In the words of the great Alan Partridge ... "this country(!)"

 

LOL

[DMcCoy]

I did look into the various licenses for these sort of things: PRS, ERA, CLA, PPL. DVD seem to be the only exception. I guess the only way you can watch films in class is if they are on TV and you record them, although I'm not even sure on that one.

 

My interpretation is that while teachers might have lots of flashy laptops with dvd players, they have no way to show them in school without breaking copyright (unless the film is no longer copyrighted). Anyone else think differently or know something I don't?

 

I can't say I didn't perhaps smile just a tiny bit when I first thought about the issue

[DMcCoy]

Been doing some googling

 

http://www.ceduman.co.uk/licensing/pvsl/pvsl.htm

[Geoff]

Remember now that because of the EUCD, copyright violation is a criminal offence. Having a criminal record generally diminishes your chances of getting/keeping a teaching job.

[MkII]

I've sent that link to our bursar.