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Streaming Video

Provides descriptions of and hyperlinked access to library-licensed and consumer rental / subscription services for streaming video.

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.

 

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:

 

The ASU Library acknowledges the twenty-three Native Nations that have inhabited this land for centuries. Arizona State University's four campuses are located in the Salt River Valley on ancestral territories of Indigenous peoples, including the Akimel O’odham (Pima) and Pee Posh (Maricopa) Indian Communities, whose care and keeping of these lands allows us to be here today. ASU Library acknowledges the sovereignty of these nations and seeks to foster an environment of success and possibility for Native American students and patrons. We are advocates for the incorporation of Indigenous knowledge systems and research methodologies within contemporary library practice. ASU Library welcomes members of the Akimel O’odham and Pee Posh, and all Native nations to the Library.