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While modern technology makes accessing streaming, movies and TV shows effortless, displaying copyrighted works in a public setting requires legal authorization.
While modern technology makes accessing TV shows and films effortless, the purchase, rental, or subscription of a copy of a work (such as a DVD, streaming account, or digital download) only grants a license for private, personal viewing. Under federal copyright law, publicly performing a copyrighted work requires a public performance license from the copyright owner, even if the copy of the work was legally obtained for personal use.
Almost any organization displaying films or TV programs requires a license. We’ve streamlined the process to ensure your compliance is effortless and complete.
Location
Private residence, individual hotel room.
Offices, lobbies, waiting rooms, clubs, camps, parks.
Audience
Family and a normal circle of social acquaintances.
Employees, customers, patients, members, or the general public.
Media Source
Personal streaming accounts, purchased DVDs, cable.
The exact same sources, when displayed in a public setting without a public performance license.
Title 17 of the United States Code (U.S.C.):
17 U.S.C. § 106(4): Establishes that the copyright owner holds the exclusive right “to perform the copyrighted work publicly.”
17 U.S.C. § 101: Defines a public performance as showing a work “at a place open to the public or at any place where a substantial number of persons outside of a normal circle of a family and its social acquaintances is gathered.”
A common misconception is that how you access a movie or TV show changes your licensing obligation. Discover how federal law applies to your specific setup.
“We pay for a premium, commercial internet subscription and our own streaming accounts, so we can play them on our facility’s screens.”
Consumer streaming accounts are subject to two legal barriers: copyright law (transmitting a stream to a public audience is a public performance) and contract law (the End User License Agreement strictly restricts use to personal, non-commercial, residential viewing).
17 U.S.C. § 101 (“Transmit” definition): Outlines that communicating images or sounds by any device copyright beyond the place from which they are sent constitutes a public performance.
“Over-the-air TV is broadcast for free, and we pay for business cable, so we can turn on whatever channel we want in our lobby.”
While individuals can receive broadcast television for private home viewing, displaying copyrighted movies, TV series, or other audiovisual works to a public gathering constitutes a public performance. The narrow statutory exemption under 17 U.S.C. § 110(5) (often called the “homestyle exemption”) is highly restrictive, typically only exempting the background play of standard radio or basic TV broadcasts on a single, home-style receiver in very small establishments. It does not cover the intentional exhibition of films, pay-per-view events, or structured TV program screenings to an audience.
“We bought a digital copy of the movie on our corporate iPad, so it belongs to us to show as we please.”
Much like physical media, digital purchases and Video-on-Demand (VOD) rentals only grant a personal, non-commercial license to view the file in a private setting. Playing a digital file to a public gathering constitutes a public performance.
17 U.S.C. § 101 (“Perform”): To perform an audiovisual work means “to show its images in any sequence…” Showing digital files to a gathered audience meets this exact threshold.
“We bought this DVD at a retail store, so we have the right to show it in our facility.”
Purchasing a physical disc gives you ownership of the material object (the plastic and metal), not the intellectual property or public performance rights inside. This is why retail discs carry the standard FBI anti-piracy warning limiting them to private home use.
17 U.S.C. § 202: Explicitly states that ownership of a material object (the DVD) is completely distinct from ownership of the copyright.
17 U.S.C. § 109 (The First Sale Doctrine): Allows you to sell or lend your physical disc, but does not grant the right of public performance.
Copyright rules apply equally to commercial businesses and non-profit organizations, charities, or municipal groups.
A public performance license is required whether you charge admission, ask for a donation, or show the media entirely for free.
Even if an area is restricted to members, employees, or registered guests (and not the general public on the street), the law still classifies it as a public performance.
U.S. House & Senate Committee Reports:
“Performances in ‘semipublic’ places such as clubs, lodges, factories, summer camps, and schools are ‘public performances’ subject to copyright control.” (Senate Report No. 94-473, p. 60; House Report No. 94-1476, p. 64)
Copyright licensing rules apply “regardless of whether an admission fee is charged.” (Senate Report No. 94-473, p. 59; House Report No. 94-1476, p. 62)
17 U.S.C. § 110(1) (The Face-to-Face Teaching Exception): Note that the only major exception for educational institutions is for face-to-face classroom instruction. Entertainment, after-school programs, and general student events are not exempt.
Securing the correct public performance license is more than a legal formality—it is a proactive risk-mitigation strategy. Showing copyrighted TV shows, films or other audiovisual works in public spaces without authorization exposes your organization to federal liabilities. An MPLC Blanket License serves as a vital shield, protecting your business from several critical exposures:
Unlicensed public performances can trigger statutory damages under the Copyright Act. Proper licensing shields your corporate budget from court-mandated damages that range from $750 to $30,000 per work infringed (17 U.S.C. § 504).
If an organization continues unlicensed exhibitions after being notified of compliance requirements, courts can rule the behavior as "willful," raising potential liability up to $150,000 per work. An MPLC license eliminates this severe financial risk entirely.
Under federal law, infringing parties may also be ordered to pay the copyright holder's full court costs and reasonable attorney's fees (17 U.S.C. § 505). An MPLC Blanket License prevents these compounding legal bills before they start.
Under copyright law, liability is not limited to the corporate entity; it can extend to the individual executives, managers, or employees who authorized or facilitated the display. Securing corporate compliance shields your leadership team from personal liability.
Proactive Compliance Under the U.S. Copyright Act:
17 U.S.C. § 504: Outlines the statutory and willful damage frameworks that proper licensing protects your organization against.
17 U.S.C. § 505: Governs the recovery of full court costs and attorney’s fees, which are mitigated through certified licensing compliance.
Once licensed, you are legally covered to show authorized works via Streaming, Broadcast, DVD, Blu-ray, or Digital Download (subject to platform Terms of Service).
Instead of negotiating with dozens of individual Hollywood studios and independent producers, one annual blanket license covers thousands of rightsholders.
Protect your brand, your staff, and your facilities from costly copyright litigation.
The Power of Partnerships: You don’t have to take our word for it. We partner with dozens of the most prestigious trade associations and professional bodies across the United States to educate members and ensure hassle-free, legal operations.
MPLC proudly works with the FLRA to help restaurants and hospitality owners elevate their customer experience legally.
MPLC regularly collaborates with the ADA, the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) to ensure dental offices remain compliant while using TV entertainment to soothe patients during treatments.
Partnered to ensure RV parks, campgrounds, and outdoor hospitality providers can legally stream and broadcast films and television programs for community recreation.
Assisting country clubs, golf courses, and private lodges in establishing compliant media exhibitions in member lounges.
Community of nonprofit aging service providers and other mission-driven organizations serving older adults.
As a leader public performance licensing, MPLC is an active member of the Copyright Society, sharing their unified goal of promoting awareness and understanding of federal copyright law.