In general, you may share and display videos for educational purposes, on the premises of Trent University or in the Blackboard LMS, for an audience consisting primarily of students enrolled in a course, if the following conditions are met:
By nature of the platform, videos posted publicly on YouTube and Vimeo, are intended to be shared.
Provided that the content has been legally uploaded by the copyright holder,
Personal streaming services (like Netflix) and/or films under a digital lock are generally not permitted to be used in the classroom. For example, teaching a cultural studies course on the cultural impact of Star Wars does not entitle an instructor to use their Disney + subscription to show Star Wars movies in class. There may be some exceptions, such as a limited number of documentaries on Netflix available under a special education license.
Trent University Library subscribes to streaming video services. To see a listing go to Find A Database page and then limit Types to Video.
You can also 'limit' in Omni your search results by the Resource Type Videos.
These streaming video services differ from YouTube, Netflix (personal online streaming), or personal legally obtained DVDs in important ways:
Planning a screening of a cinematographic work on campus? If so, it is your responsibility to make sure that your showing is compliant with Canadian copyright law. Generally speaking, where a movie, television program, or other audiovisual material is shown in a public setting on campus – even in a classroom – a licence will be required unless the showing is for education and training purposes (or, where fair dealing may apply, for other allowable purposes). If the showing is for educational and training purposes, it may be subject to one of the following exceptions in the Copyright Act, provided that other specific statutory requirements are met:
The Trent Central Student Association (TCSA) has implemented a risk assessment for their events. Student groups wanting to have film screenings on campus need to get copyright clearance, often referred to as Public Performance Rights (PPR) from the Library. Failing to do so means they will not be permitted to have the screening. This should be done at least five days (excluding weekends) to ensure that the Library has time to review the request. Student groups can come to the Library directly to submit requests, or send an email to copyright@trentu.ca with the following information:
Date and time of event
Example: December 20, 2024, at 5 pm
Film title(s)
Example: Elf and Polar Express
Audience: Who the audience is
Example: Trent students in the economics club
Size of Audience: How many people are expected to attend
Example: 40 people
Purpose of the film screening: educational or entertainment?
Example: The film is being shown because it is end of semester party
Location: will the film screening happen on one of Trent’s campuses or off campus
Example: The film will be shown in Blackburn Hall (on campus)
Admission price: Will attendees be charged to watch the film or is the film screening free
Example: it is a free event
Planning a screening of a cinematographic work on campus? If so, it is your responsibility to make sure that your showing is compliant with Canadian copyright law. Generally speaking, where a movie, television program, or other audiovisual material is shown in a public setting on campus – even in a classroom – a licence will be required unless the showing is for education and training purposes (or, where fair dealing may apply, for other allowable purposes). If the showing is for educational and training purposes, it may be subject to one of the following exceptions in the Copyright Act, provided that other specific statutory requirements are met:
The Trent Central Student Association (TCSA) has implemented a risk assessment for their events. Student groups wanting to have film screenings on campus need to get copyright clearance, often referred to as Public Performance Rights (PPR) from the Library. Failing to do so means they will not be permitted to have the screening. This should be done at least five days (excluding weekends) to ensure that the Library has time to review the request. Student groups can come to the Library directly to submit requests, or send an email to copyright@trentu.ca with the following information:
Date and time of event
Example: December 20, 2024, at 5 pm
Film title(s)
Example: Elf and Polar Express
Audience: Who the audience is
Example: Trent students in the economics club
Size of Audience: How many people are expected to attend
Example: 40 people
Purpose of the film screening: educational or entertainment?
Example: The film is being shown because it is end of semester party
Location: will the film screening happen on one of Trent’s campuses or off campus
Example: The film will be shown in Blackburn Hall (on campus)
Admission price: Will attendees be charged to watch the film or is the film screening free
Example: it is a free event