I apologize if this question has been asked before; I am new to this list.
We have a professor that wants her students to watch a video. Its
possible that she will show it in class, but its also possible she will
ask each of them to watch it outside of class.
The title is: Robert Blecker Wants Me Dead.
She asked the library to purchase a DVD or maybe a few copies. I have
tried and its not available in this format (not from Amazon, the film home
page, robertbleckerwantsmedead.com, not from the distributor, Atlas
Media). I contacted the distributor and they said they had no intention
of putting the film on DVD but only marketing it through iTunes. It is
available on iTunes for $7.99.
I am curious how other libraries have handled situations where the only
source of a film is iTunes. If she decided to show it to the class, I
don't see it as a major problem because I think fair use would allow it to
be shown in class and we would buy one copy for her iTunes account and she
could show it from her laptop in class (and they are not marketing it with
public performance rights anyway). But what about students who miss
class? Or if she decides to have each student view it outside of class.
You cannot share files on iTunes with other users. Its not like a link
that can be sent among the student body. And, what if other students or
professors want to watch it but have the library pay? It really is a
compelling film if you are interested in the death penalty.
I am told there are programs that will allow you take stuff on iTunes and
convert it to DVD but its probably of questionable legality and also time
consuming for my staff. I am disappointed in Atlas Media for not
marketing this as a DVD.
Any advice appreciate,
Matthew
Matthew Wright
Head of Collection Development and Instructional Services
William S. Boyd School of Law
University of Nevada Las Vegas
4505 Maryland Parkway, Box 451080
Las Vegas, NV 89154-1080
(702) 895-2409; (702) 895-2410 (fax)
VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues
relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control,
preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and
related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective
working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication
between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and
distributors.
