Forum Discussion

Hi Sunshine, as far as I know, it is illegal to make up a backup copy from movies on DVD, VHS. If they are originals there are no problems. Unfortunately, even if the movies are ‘out of production’ they do not remove copyright restrictions. It is not fair, I know, it would be nice if movies previously available in VHS tape was now available on DVD.

Hi Sunshine.

After researching this on the internet, it is illegal to show movies/appears to be what is called an umbrella license that is needed for senior living facilities (which is a shame since this is their residence). I do not know what the cost is but there is a site (https://seniorliving.mplc.org/ ) that has the necessary information. It is recommended to get the license.

Q: How much does the Umbrella License cost?
A: Pricing for senior living and health care communities is based on the number of closed circuit connections on your campus or the number of units/rooms. Pricing is facility based.

Q: We want to license multiple communities. What is the next step?
A: The Umbrella License is facility based. If you wish to license multiple locations, please contact an MPLC Licensing Representative at (800) 462-8855 or via web for pricing assistance.
A Licensing Representative can walk you through the licensing process and review any applicable group discounts.

Note this license needs to be renewed on a yearly basis.

Good luck

I have never had a problem with this as long as the movie has been released on tape another words not bootleg copy
I like to show short movies because attention spans can be short

I tend to shop Amazon or used DVD stores on line or in larger cities. You should be able to find musicals, westerns, or other movies that work with your population. If you order through Amazon or other such sites, and you are redirected to a 3rd party, sometimes you can make further connections with that outlet wholesalers company.

Another thing is interactive watching. Watching movies is not therapeutic nor an activity, but a "filler" If you are interacting with the folks and sharing, talking singing along with them, this is more of an activity. This could include sports games, curling, football, the Olympic games; some of the more competitive sports people love to watch on TV.

I also enjoy discussing the news with independent residents who enjoy ther own leisure time watching the news on their own TV's , more of an interactive and intellectual discussion or debate.

Happy Hunting

Your ideas are great Darla

The movies we have shown are all ones we have purchased. We have never shown bootlegs or copies of any sort.

I do not see a problem with what you are doing But do whatever your administration wants you to do

Net Flix is a great way to show movies.

I also use my own personal dvd's I bring from home and put them into my lab top and show them on a big screen along with popcorn of course! I use the input on the computer to plug into a pa system for sound and use a projector. it works really well. No big screen if you have a projector just show on a wall.
You can put net flix on your computer as well so you can project movies onto a wall or screen that way also.

Yes we have used Netflix

We have also been told that we cannot show movies. We use YouTube for various videos now. Its sad. I argued about this being their home. As long as its not on the calendar.....

Hi Terrie, it is rather sad that movies are banned. So much is said about the facility being 'their home' but restrictions like that tell a different story. You are doing the right thing looking for alternatives. Netflix, HBO, and DVD as Debbie suggested are suitable back-ups. Good luck!

As I said earlier I agree with Solange
I did find that some residence lose interest in movies and would rather do other things
Keep this in mind

Does anyone have any good movie suggestions? Most of my residents enjoy cleaner films, christian story lines etc. Unfortunately newer movies are hard to steer away from language & Nudity. But I would love some movie suggestions I read as many reviews as I can but only have so much time to pre watch at home. Even older movies any suggestions welcome we stream from Amazon & Netflix

I do not have Amazon or Netflix
What about YouTube or regular TV
Many of those on YouTube you have to pay for
Regular TV you have to look at the TV schedule and schedule a movie for when it is on the TV
The other option is to rent the movie from a video store if there any around you
Here are some movies suggestions
https://www.goldencarers.com/comments/2848/

Most of the senior centers I am in contact with do show movies on dvd to members, as we do. We do not charge a fee EVER to see these movies and they are almost 100% older movies that have been out for a long time. I tend to think (and this is just my rationale) that most of the movies we show are available on YouTube, so what is the difference? Having said that, when we reopen we will be starting a new exercise series that is on dvd. I did ask permission from the publishers to do this and they were happy to grant permission. Another series I looked into required licensing and the licensing fee was out of our price range. I was delighted to find a series I loved for a fraction of the price and can use it without concern about licensing.

Thank you for that information Cathy

Thank you for that information Cathy

I know centers that do show current movies (as in renting from Redbox). I don't know if they have any kind of a license or not. My own thinking is that I don't show a movie that the seniors would "pay" to see in the community, only older movies that are not currently being shown so therefore not available for a fee. I know showing them these older movies at the center would not cut down on revenue like showing currently released movies would. Hope this helps! And, again, just my thinking.

In Australia it is illegal to show a movie without the correct licencing unless under certain conditions.

It cannot be planned, organised or charged (gold coin type situation). All you can do is to put a disc on for someone, and have other people in the room at the same time, like you would in your own lounge room. But the moment it's organised, advertised etc, it becomes a theatrical showing and must be licensed. The Australian Copyright Council has information about this specifically for residential aged care.

However there are a couple of things that you can do to get around this. If you know the copyright holder, you can ask for permission. Get it in writing if you can, but if you have their permission it overwrites pretty much anything. This maybe someone who filmed everything around them in home movies, or a filmmaker that you know.

Or you can hire your movies from a distributor which includes the licence to show it an audience, and even collect money for it depending of the licence conditions. Some distributors are very reasonable in their pricing and a film can cost as little $30 for a month's hire.

Also burnt discs are illegal and there are only certain circumstances where they are legal, but pretty much never is the answer for them. And working in aged care will not stop you being fined, and in the case of a local worker, her employer refused to pay the fine and she had to pay all of it.