Legal Question in Intellectual Property in United Kingdom

Re: Public Performance Of A VHS Video

Under copyright law �performance� includes any visual or acoustic presentation of film on video. A public performance is identified by examining the facts of each case. If the audience could legally be considered to be part of the public, whether or not a charge is made for viewing the film, a public performance will take place. The size of the audience is irrelevant as a small number of people may still be considered to be the public. The student cinema will almost certainly be treated as a place of public entertainment for copyright law purposes. Those who organise the viewing, authorise the use of the premises and provide the equipment to show the film will be liable for infringement of copyright to the copyright owner.

You should therefore seek consent from the copyright owner to show the video.