Tangent alert: John Sayles also wrongly asserts that "screening a regular consumer DVD in a classroom is a violation of copyright law, as stated by the Warning Screen that appears before the movie. " Quoted from his "response" at the bottom of his own blog post about the release of his film "Amigo": http://johnsaylesblog.com/amigo-dvd-release/
This despite the fact that none of his other films are available with anything but home-use rights. On Sat, Feb 16, 2013 at 9:05 AM, Laura Jenemann <[email protected]> wrote: > Dear Anthony, > > Thank you very much for sharing your institution's policy. > > You mention that that "it is very much our firm policy that such films > always be purchased at the full institutional price." > > May I ask why? Is it because of USC's "close proximity to the > entertainment industry?" > > Thank you in advance for your response. I find this type of information > sharing from other librarians to be useful in my own professional > development, which is why I've responded "on list". Feel free to > contact me off list if you prefer. > > Regards, > > Laura > > Laura Jenemann > Film Studies/Media Services Librarian > Johnson Center Library > George Mason University > 4400 University Drive MS 1A6 > Fairfax VA, 22030 > Phone: 703-993-7593 > Email: [email protected] > > > On 2/15/13 4:57 PM, Anthony Anderson wrote: >> Here at USC we purchase between 100 and 150 documentary films a year, >> and it is >> very much our firm policy that such films *always *be purchased at the >> full institutional >> price. A few years back one particular documentary film was >> inadvertently purchased >> through Amazon and we ended up receiving am email from the distributor, >> very much >> similar to the message that Mary received in regards to*My Perestroika.* >> As soon as >> I read the email, I immediately got in touch with the distributor and >> apologized for >> the error. We sent back the "offending" DVD to Amazon and ordered the >> "bonafide" >> DVD from the company handing the academic distribution of the film. Were >> this to happen >> again, I would do exactly the same. It is not for me to say that other >> academic institutions >> should do likewise, but personally I believe you have the ethical >> responsibility to so >> do so. >> >> Also, too: understand that USC owing to its size and its close proximity >> to the entertainment >> industry,is subject to a lot more scrutiny than a lot more other >> academic institutions. Thus, >> we have to be relentlessly squeaky clean in everything we do when it >> comes to media. >> >> Cheers! >> Anthony >> >> ******************************* >> Anthony E. Anderson >> Assistant Director, Doheny Memorial Library >> University of Southern California >> Los Angeles, CA 90089-0182 >> (213) [email protected] >> "Wind, regen, zon, of kou, >> Albert Cuyp ik hou van jou." >> ******************************** >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> On 2/15/2013 11:03 AM, Mary Hanlin wrote: >>> Hi All, >>> >>> I've been schooled, so I understand the fallacy in the emailer's >>> argument/request. My question, particularly those who don't have ready >>> access to institutional counsel, is.... how do you handle emails like >>> these? Do you even respond? >>> >>> Dear Ms. X, >>> >>> We recently noticed that you have a copy of My Perestroika in your >>> library's collection. We are thrilled! This critically acclaimed >>> documentary enables students to better understand Soviet and Post-Soviet >>> life by following the lives of 5 Russians who were part of the last >>> generation to live under the Iron Curtain. My Perestroika, which recently >>> received a 2012 Peabody Award, is useful in a wide-variety of disciplines, >>> including History, Anthropology, Political Science, and Sociology. At the >>> bottom of this email, I have included just a few examples of what >>> professors have said about the film (for more examples, please visit our >>> website). >>> >>> According to our records, it seems that your library may have inadvertently >>> purchased the copy of My Perestroika distributed by New Video/Docurama. >>> Unfortunately, this version is for home use only. The only version of My >>> Perestroika that is legally licensed for educational use is distributed by >>> New Day Films. In order, for independent films such as My Perestroika to >>> exist for use in teaching, and so they can continue to be made in the >>> future by non-profit filmmakers such as Ms. Hessman, it is critical that >>> institutions purchase the appropriate version. >>> >>> We realize that the cost of the educationally licensed dvd may not fit >>> within your college's budget. The price was determined by the cost of >>> making the film which, unfortunately, was very high (over 800k) >>> particularly since Soviet archival and music rights were very expensive. We >>> have discussed the price issue with our distributor and we are willing to >>> offer you a one-time discount to purchase the educationally licensed dvd at >>> the extremely reduced price of $150. You can purchase the film for at this >>> special price by clicking here >>> (http://www.newday.com/films/myperestroika.html). On the online ordering >>> form, just select the button for the K-12 schools ($150 option). As you >>> continue through the purchasing process, there will be a place for Special >>> Instructions/Comments. In that box, please write "approved purchase at high >>> school rate." We also ask that you also please remove the Home Vi! >>> deo DVD >>> (New Video / Docurama) version from your library catalogue immediately. >>> >>> Thank you in advance for your assistance, and please let me know if you >>> have any questions or concerns. >>> >>> >>> Mary Hanlin >>> Media Collection Development Librarian >>> and Adjunct English Instructor >>> Tidewater Community College, Portsmouth >>> 120 Campus Drive, >>> Portsmouth, Virginia 23701 >>> P: 757-822-2133 >>> F: 757-822-2149 >>> [email protected] >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >> >> >> >> 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. >> > > > -- > Laura Jenemann > Film Studies/Media Services Librarian > Johnson Center Library > George Mason University > 4400 University Drive MS 1A6 > Fairfax VA, 22030 > Phone: 703-993-7593 > Email: [email protected] > > > 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. -- Regards, Chris Lewis Media Librarian American University Library 202.885.3257 For latest Media Services News: Blog: http://aulibmedia.blogspot.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AULibMedia Twitter: http://twitter.com/aulibmedia Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/aulibmedia/ Please think twice before printing this e-mail. 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.
