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Streaming and Screening Videos

Films for Courses

Professors at UNBC often want to include films as a part of their course schedule or syllabus.

Under the Canadian Copyright Act (Section 29.5), a film may be shown in the classroom as long as: 

  • It is for educational purposes/training
  • It is shown on University premises
  • It is for university students, staff or faculty
  • It is a legally obtained copy

Formats

Streaming a Film:

Films can be streamed in class if:

  • UNBC has purchased an institutional license for the film.
  • Licenses are typically purchased in 1-year, 3-year, or perpetual timeframes.

We recommend that you search and test access to the film on the UNBC Library's website at least week before you plan to show the film to your class. This will confirm that the film is available and that the license has not expired.

DVD:

DVDs can be shown in class if:

  • The DVD has been legally obtained.
  • It is an in-person class.

DVDs can be placed onto Course Reserve in the library. Students can check-out the DVD and watch it on their own time if they miss viewing the film during class time.

YouTube:

YouTube videos or similar may also be shown in class unless: 

  • The work is protected by digital locks preventing its performance.
  • A clearly visible notice prohibiting educational use is posted on the website or on the work itself.
  • You have reason to believe that the work available is in violation of the copyright owner's rights.

Personal Streaming Services:

Please note that personal streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, or Disney+ are commercial services provided to individual end users – not the University. In other words, UNBC does not have an institutional account with these providers. Therefore, your use of your personal streaming services must comply with the Terms of Use you agreed to when you signed up for the service. 

You can not use your personal streaming services to show films to your class.

Contact

Please contact your Subject Librarian for more information about streaming films for your courses.

Subject Librarians can help with:

  • Identifying films in the UNBC Library's collection that fit your needs.
  • Purchasing licenses for films that are not yet a part of the collection.

Please note that each subject has limited funds available for purchasing streaming licenses.