Do you need a license to show a film??

Warren3

Hi

Thinking of starting up a film society in Ireland in a few months and was wondering if anyone had any information on whether you need a license to show films or not??

Any other info would be greatful received as well??

Sad Professor

Strictly speaking, yes. Publicly screening a privately purchased copy of a film is a breach of copyright. You need a non-theatrical license from the distributor of the film in question.

Warren3

Thanks for the reply

Does this count if you do not charge to view the film??

When does the rule kick in??. Do you have to get a license if additional people come over at xmas to watch a movie??

Sad Professor

Warren3 wrote: »

Does this count if you do not charge to view the film??

Yes.

When does the rule kick in??. Do you have to get a license if additional people come over at xmas to watch a movie??

No. I assume because that would be private, only open to family and friends, rather to than to the public as in the case of a film society.

Warren3

Thanks you for the information. It is appreciated

I will have to think. I do not want to have to pay a hefty fee to show old films in a free of charge film society

Could I make this a private members club and in the club we watch movies as a group of friends???

Voodu Child

If it is in your home and not open to members of the public then you don't need any licence or permission. You are basically showing it to a few mates, no different to what people up and down the country do every weekend. Realistically unless you live in a mansion you're only going to have 5 or 10 people over.

If it's outside of your home then you need a licence. You can get a 1-year umbrella licence from the MPLC, meaning you can show as many films as you like provided the rights holders have an agreement the MPLC (most do). I think for a small club the cost should be under a thousand, maybe a couple of hundred. And again, it needs to be a private event not accessible to the public and no admission charge.

I would contact the MPLC for more info or alternatively contact an existing film club.

Warren3

Thanks for your help

I have just sent the MPLC a email asking for a two tier quote. One for paying members and one for free admission. I will see what they write back

It crossed my mind to have a "donation" system to aviod calling it a admission fee to reduce costs but I am unsure

Nolanger

Warren3 wrote: »

Thanks for your help
I have just sent the MPLC a email asking for a two tier quote. One for paying members and one for free admission. I will see what they write back

Hope you said licence instead of license?

AnonoBoy

Of course film societies in colleges all over Ireland managed to get away it for years.

Are they still as popular as they once were? Showing banned movies always packed them in for us but nowadays people can just download them so not sure if the same draw is there.

Catcher7791

You should contact these guys, they'd probably be able to give you info and support if and when you get started:

http://www.accesscinema.ie/homepage.html

Skinfull

To show a movie to your mates in your own house, no you dont need a license.
To be part of a film club that does screening, as long as you have less than 100 people, then its okay too.

There is no license per say for film screenings, so you can be a club and show "private screenings" to club members without the need for a license.
Source: Running a film club

Warren3

Hi Skinfull. Thanks very much for the information

That is music to my ears

Where was your film club if you do not mind me asking and did you charge any fee's??

Renn

Nolanger wrote: »

Hope you said licence instead of license?

I'm sure they'll be able to figure out the American spelling. I wouldn't worry about it too much.