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Copyrights are a form of intellectual property that gives the author, the owner or the distributor of original work (movies, literature, music, etc.) exclusive rights for a certain time period in relation to that work, including its publication, distribution, adaptation and use.
• What is a public performance?
• What are public performance movie licenses?
• Why do you need a license?
• Who needs a license?
• Are there exceptions for educational institutions?
• Are all movies covered by copyrights?
• Who regulates copyrights?
• Why are copyrights important?
• What is ACF’s role?
• Once licensed, how do I obtain films?
• What about video-on-demand services such as Netflix® and Disney+® ?
• Can I copy a movie in DVD format onto my computer?
• Am I allowed to do fundraisers with my license?
• Do I still need to get a license if I use my own copies and my presentations are free?
• Do you make pricing exceptions for small organizations?
• Do you offer special group licensing rates?
• How can I find out if a movie is covered by ACF?
• What kinds of licenses are available?
A public performance is any type of movie presentation that occurs outside of a private dwelling (your house, condo or apartment) or for audiences others than family and friends. Any type of presentation occurring outside of your home will be considered a public performance. However, if you show a movie in your backyard to one hundred people, that too would be considered a public performance.
Events occurring in private associations, private clubs, and private businesses are still all considered public performances.
Movie licenses are authorizations from a rights owner, representative or distributor to use a commercially available movie in a public performance context. ACF is an official authorized rights representative for numerous major studios and films and thus has the authority to issue licenses for thousands of commercially available movies.
According to the Canadian Copyright Act, all public, private and commercial organizations wishing to present copyrighted commercially available movies in a public place must be properly licensed with a rights representative such as Audio Cine Films Inc. As the exclusive rights representative for numerous studios, producers and films, ACF is mandated to look after their performance rights. Please click here to consult the complete list of our partner studios.
This applies in all cases, even if films are personally owned, purchased in retail stores, from online retailers, shown freely or for non-profit reasons. Additional information on the specifics of the law can be obtained from The Canadian Copyright Board.
All organizations that present commercially available movies in a public performance environment are required to obtain a license from the appropriate rights representative. This applies even if presentations are free of charge, for non-profit reasons or if copies are obtained from personal collections, retail stores or online retailers.
To resume, all public performances of commercially available copyrighted movies must be licensed, notwithstanding the type, nature or vocation of your organization.
• Business Associations
• Campgrounds (public & private)
• Churches and Religious organizations
• Colleges, Universities and all types of Post-Secondary Institutions
• Convention and Conference Centers
• Clubs and Film Societies
• Corporations and Private Business
• Correctional Institutions
• Cultural and Community Centers & Associations
• Day and Summer Camps
• Dormitory Residences
• K-12 Elementary and Secondary Schools
• Kindergartens (commercial, private and home-based)
• Governmental Facilities
• Hotels, Motels and Resorts
• Lodges and Commercial Summer Cottages
• Military Bases
• Municipal Organizations
• Museums and Science Centers
• Provincial Parks
• Public Libraries
• Restaurants and Bars
• School Boards and Private School Associations
• Youth/Seniors Centers
For more information, do not hesitate to us.
Yes, in 2012 the Canadian Parliament ed Bill C-11: The Copyright Modernization Act. It expanded copyright exemptions for provincially istered educational institutions (i.e. not private commercial institutions) allowing for the presentation of copyrighted commercially available movies for educational purposes.
Notwithstanding changes to copyright regulations, a public performance license is required by law for all educational institutions that present commercially available movies within a leisure environment. The public performance exceptions contained in C-11 are strictly educational in nature and do not apply to presentations occurring outside of a classroom curriculum related context.
• Do I need a license if I show movies during lunch or as part of kindergarten programs? YES
• Do I need a license if movies are free or just for a few students?YES
• Do I need a license if movies are personally owned or purchased from retail stores? YES
• Do I need a license for charity fundraiser events? YES
• Do movie events organized by parents associations require a license? YES
• Are the movies and studios listed here covered by other vendors? NO
• Do copyright laws allow me to show movies for leisure purposes without a license? NO
Yes, unless otherwise specified, the vast majority of commercially available movies are covered by the studios we represent.
Annual public performance licenses from ACF allow for the public showing of films produced by the studios and producers we exclusively represent. Rates vary according to the type of organization and the circumstances of your events. Once licensed, you can present movies from the studios and producers we represent.
Special rates and conditions are available for small organizations.
With the annual license, it is also possible to apply for us
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