Campground owners know that movies and TV are a valuable amenity to their guests. From outdoor “cinema under the stars” to simply offering a TV for a rainy day, audiovisual content is a great bet for all ages.
However, when TV series or movies are displayed at the park, it is generally considered a public performance under US Copyright Law, and a specific license is required. While that may sound scary, the good news is that there is a simple and affordable license that covers content from more than 1,000 TV and film producers. This license is provided by MPLC (Motion Picture Licensing Corporation) and is intended to make public exhibition of audiovisual entertainment as simple as possible; one low annual fee, unlimited showings, and no reporting requirements.
The Legal Stuff
The U.S. Copyright Act, Title 17 of the United States Code, gives copyright owners control over the public exhibition of their works. In nearly all cases, this means that a public performance license is required to show copyrighted content in public. RV Parks are considered public spaces when it comes to copyright law. This legal requirement applies whether or not an admission fee is charged, and even if the content can only be viewed by a single customer.
Like music licensing, this requirement for a public performance license applies to public showings of movies, TV programs, and other audiovisual content enjoyed from sources like broadcast, cable, or satellite television; DVDs; downloads; or streaming services. Failure to comply with the Copyright Act constitutes copyright infringement and can result in liability for damages ranging from $750 to $150,000 for each illegal exhibition, plus court costs and attorney fees.
Ultimately, by showing television and movies without a license, RV Parks risk significant fines for copyright infringement. For even the casual infringer, the monetary repercussions can be significant. Office staff may not consider copyright law before turning on the television or giving a customer a remote control. When it comes to infringement, it does not matter who picks the channel.
MPLC’s Simple and Affordable License
To increase awareness of this important issue, MPLC has worked with OHI to educate parks about copyright compliance and to provide an affordable public performance licensing solution. For several years, As a result of this longstanding partnership, OHI members can secure an annual license for only $479 per location, per year.
MPLC’s 1,000+ motion picture studios and producers, include DreamWorks Animation, Warner Bros, Discovery, Disney, Paramount Pictures, NBCUniversal, CNN, and many others. MPLC issues the license your park needs to show copyrighted content in compliance with federal copyright law.
The Right Thing to Do
If your park wants to show television programs, movies, or other audiovisual content, a public performance license is required. OHI encourages its members to comply with federal copyright law. To secure an Umbrella License for your park at a discounted rate through your OHI membership, visit campgrounds.mplc.org or contact MPLC at (866) 552-MPLC (6752) or info@mplc.com.
