Re: Really simple copyright question...

["Ryan.R.Worrell@xxxxxxxxx" <ryanrworrell@xxxxxxxxx>]

Thank you everyone for your answers!  It seems that there are a
multitude of opinions, so maybe it isn't as easy as it seems.

RW

On Wed, Aug 19, 2009 at 2:29 PM,
Ryan.R.Worrell@xxxxxxxxx<ryanrworrell@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> So, I am sure this is a simple copyright question, but I am getting a
> little pushback and thought I would pose it to the group to see if I
> am missing anything.
>
> Professor at a non profit religious university would like to be able
> to have a "bible study" type series of events at the school (for
> students) wherein a film is played and then discussed from a religious
> perspective.  So, for example, the professor would play the Matrix and
> then discusses the parallels with Christianity.  It is a small school,
> so they asked outside counsel to consider whether this would be OK.
> The attorney said no (but I do not have that attorney's explanation).
> Professor came to me for a second opinion.
>
> I think this clearly falls into section 110(1) protection.  Am I
> missing something?  I guess that there could be an argument that since
> these studies are not be part of a "credit granting" class, it may not
> qualify for 110(1) protection, but I do not read such a requirement
> into the statute.  The studies will take place on campus, in a
> classroom, with students and a tenured professor.  There could be an
> argument that playing the entire film is too consumptive, but this
> wouldn't be a Fair Use case...it is a statutory defense.
>
> So, am I missing something?
>
> Ryan Worrell