Hello,

A filmmaker recently donated a copy of her self-produced film to our library. 
She is willing to let us stream the film over a password-protected site, and 
I'd like to get that permission in writing. What do all of you do in a 
situation like this, where no money is changing hands and where the filmmaker 
is flexible as far as terms are concerned? Do you use a license, or would you 
consider a short letter granting us permission to the stream the film 
sufficient? If you do use a license, how much detail do you go into and what 
kinds of provisions do you include? She is amenable to giving us this right in 
perpetuity, and her only request is that we only make the film available to 
current faculty, staff, and students. Is there anything else that we definitely 
should include?

Also, is there anything we should do to confirm that the producer/director is 
the copyright holder? Or is the fact that she is the producer and director 
sufficient, provided she has not signed any rights away.

Thanks for your help!

Andy Horbal (long-time reader, first-time poster)


Andrew Horbal
Media Resources Librarian
0300 Hornbake Library
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
(301) 405-9227
[email protected]

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