CILIP and SCL’s joint letter about MPLC

On By librariesarchivescopyrightIn Campaigns, LACA activities, UK advocacy

It has been brought to our attention that the Motion Picture Licensing Corporation (MPLC) has been approaching public libraries claiming that they must subscribe to its individual or umbrella licences for the purpose of ensuring the requirements of copyright legislation are met in relation to the “public performance” of films.

After consulting with the Libraries and Archives Copyright Alliance (LACA), CILIP drafted a letter advising Library Authorities to seek legal advice before taking out one of these licences due to concerns with:

  • the producers’ repertoire covered by the MPLC licence;
  • the absence of an indemnity in the MPLC licence;
  • MPLC’s assertion that the viewing of films on People’s Network computers requires a public performance licence.

This letter was issued jointly by CILIP and the Society of Chief Librarians (SCL).

MPLC letterDownload to read it

(October 2016)