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There is a small independant sub run in my area that recently had a newspaper ad. It said "We do birthday Parties" Up to 18 children, $99.00 includes popcorn, soda, 2.5 hour movies. "Bring your own DVD, or choose from current movie offerings" So, it appears a customer brings in a DVD and the theatre will show it using their video equipment. Technically, is this allowed, without paying film rental to the studio? They aren't charging admission, basically providing a room and popcorn and soda for $99.00 If it is allowed, it would seem to be a good deal for the theatre to offer this during non-regular operating hours, such as Saturday and Sunday mornings, or after school.

many theaters are doing this......

This is all said "tongue in cheek", because I haven't found where I heard all this... but,

My understanding is that a DVD is intended for the private viewing of the person (family)who buys or rents it. I think I've seen that "private" infers a limit, though I can't find that now. I'm a bit uncomfortable with this on a couple of grounds, regardless whether theatres do it or not.

A theatre that sells (rents) their room where one purpose is to facilitate large numbers to watch a DVD, whether it's owned by the theatre or not, might be pushing it a bit, and not owning the DVD may not clear the theatre. The facility is made available with one ingredient being the ability to exhibit a copyrighted work to larger numbers than would be normally found in the average home. I have nothing to prove this, but offhand it seems like a stretch of intent, if not an outright violation of copyright.

If nothing else, be careful with this. I wouldn't be surprised that it happens, but I wouldn't want to be the first to get caught if it's not OK.

[This message has been edited by rodeojack (edited November 10, 2007).]

DITTO THAT!

The answer to this question is quite simple.

NO

It is illegal. Getting caught just one time could put you out of business, if the copywrite owner wants to press the issue.

Do you want to take that chance?

While i agree with ROXY i do not believe it will put you out of bsns..
Copywrite infringement awards are based on damages...what are the damagesshowing the pic to 18 people...very small indeed..

The damages could be what you'll pay the lawyers to defend yourself. Given the paycheck-to-paycheck nature of many independents these days, I'd bet there's not a lot of reserve in the bank account for stuff like this.

We are one of the few theaters that dont have a digital projector to run dvd but most theaters i no do it.....bars ,kids play centers, doctors offices all play dvd ...all illegal.....

Don't assume doctor's offices, daycare centers, etc. are showing their DVD's illegally. I'm sure many of those kind of places are playing movies illegally, but not necessarily. They have options that theaters do not have. They can obtain blanket rights for a small amount of money to play DVD's or videos. This option isn't available to any theater.

Another thought is that if a doctor's office gets in trouble for showing DVDs illegally, the size of their fine may be small. If a theater gets in trouble for showing movies illegally, the size of their fine might not be too much larger. But have you considered that not only may there be legal fees attached, but also there is the possibility that the theater could easily be banned from ever showing films from that distributor again. Seems to me, I read somewhere about Disney doing that before. If a big enough stink is raised, then what will be the relationship with other distributors as well?

It's just not worth it. Especially not for the few dollars they are making off of a $99 birthday party.

There are companys out there that do licenses to show dvds to the public.

criterion is one such company....

$99? jesus.... at least make it worth it.

Its considered a private rental. what they chose to do in the theater should be up to them as long as there is no damage is my thinking.