Streaming Video
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How can I show feature films online?
Feature films present unique problems for instruction as few film companies offer streaming rights for their films.
Solutions for incorporating feature film in your courses include Pay-per-View options for students, or applying fair use and the TEACH Act to use portions of films using our streaming reserve service. See our Streaming Video Reserve Guidelines for more information.
Course Resource Services and Pay per View Options
Course Resource Services
ASU Library has extensive holdings of feature films in its video collection. These videos may be placed on the Course Resource Shelf at the Circulation Desk. Instructors determine the length of the loan period, including limiting use to within the Library only, or permitting overnight, three day, or one week loan.
More details on placing materials on Reserve is available here: Course Resource Services
To obtain DVDs of feature films not already in the collection consult with your Subject Librarian.
Pay Per View
Requiring students to pay for access to feature films for course study can be considered equivalent to requiring textbooks for a course.
Streaming access is widely available through a number of venues including Netflix, Vudu, ITunes, Amazon Instant Video, and other options.
The Internet sites Reelgood or Just Watch provide a simple interface to discover which services provide online access to a particular title. Keep in mind that commercial services often change their offerings, so a film available on a certain platform one semester may be on a different platform, or may even be unavailable next semester.
See also the Pay-Per-View tab in this LibGuide.
- Black Film ArchiveBlack Film Archive is an evolving archive dedicated to making historically and culturally significant films made from 1915 to 1979 about Black people accessible through a streaming guide with cultural context. Each film in this archive includes a link to the streaming platform it is currently available.
- Just WatchJustWatch is a free streaming guide, designed to help you find where to watch movies and shows online.
We only show 100% legal offers on many different platforms for paid subscriptions, free streaming, streaming with ads, for rental and for purchase. - ReelGoodA video streaming service search engine to find where a film or TV show is streaming across over 150 platforms.
TEACH Act
The TEACH Act permits streaming portions of film content.
TEACH Act (included in Section 110(2)) - The "Technology, Education and Copyright Harmonization" Act allows instructors to perform or display copyrighted works in distance education environments. However, there are a number of restrictions. Here are some useful resources specifically related to the TEACH Act:
- Copyright Law and Distance Education: an Overview of the Teach Act (pdf) - Kenneth D. Crews, Columbia University Copyright Advisory Office
- Copyright portal - TEACH Act - from the Scholarly Communications & Copyright Office at the Penn State Libraries