Legal Question in Entertainment Law in Massachusetts
Free viewings of dvds at a retail cafe
Is it legal for a retail store/cafe to have a showing of a dvd if there is no fee to view it, although customers can buy beverages, etc during the viewing and copies of the dvd will be available for purchase? (Obviously, the dvds for sale would be official copies, not prated copies.)
Thanks so much!
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Free viewings of dvds at a retail cafe
No; this constitutes a public display and is outwith the scope of the rights conferred when the CD was purchased. The rights holders may be disposed to grant a license on reasonable terms, but you need to contact them before the exhibition of each work.
Best wishes,
LDWG
Re: Free viewings of dvds at a retail cafe
It seems to me that the creator of the DVD may be interested in granting you permission to show the video since you are selling them in your store.
You should contact an attorney to review your plan prior to putting it in place.
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