Intellectual Property

Film

If you wish to use a film in a way that falls within the scope of the economic rights but not one of the exceptions to copyright, in some cases a licence may be offered by a collective licensing body:

Filmbank External Link, Motion Picture Licensing Corporation External Link may be able to license a non-theatrical showing of a film in public in such places as clubs, coaches, restaurants, village halls and schools (but note that no licence is probably needed where the showing in a school is for educational purposes). You should check what films each organisation licences to make sure you get the correct licence.

ComPact Collections External Link may be able to help license cable retransmission rights on behalf of producers.

Video Performance Limited External Link licenses certain uses of music videos.

Where users or prospective users are unhappy about the terms and conditions offered by collective licensing bodies, they may be able to seek independent adjudication on the matter from the Copyright Tribunal.

In other cases you will need to approach the owner of rights in the film, often the producer or UK distributor, for permission to use the material. You should note that you may need to get permission from the owners of copyright in the content of a film as well, particularly those who own rights in the music.