The purpose of the Copyright Act is to i.a. protect the authors' right to compensation for the performance of their work. Out of ignorance, many unfortunately violate the copyright law. It is therefore important that you who arrange film screenings follow the regulations so that you do not risk being hit with legal measures afterwards.
Copyright and license areas
In order to ensure authors' and film owners' legal right to compensation when showing their films and programs in different contexts, an industry practice with division into different rights areas has been created, which is largely specified below.
Main license areas:
Cinema showing
TV viewing
Public display
Institutional display
Private viewing
Special screening
Cinema showing
Cinema viewing means viewing in a venue where the viewer has purchased a ticket to see the film. Cinemas are registered and approved by the Film Owners Control Agency.
TV viewing
TV viewing refers to the viewing of films and other programs via a terrestrial cable signal. TV viewing also includes viewing via satellite, cable and other forms of distribution of a TV signal, as is common in, for example, hotels and through other limited broadcasting areas for viewing on a TV screen, where, for example, the concept of pay TV can be applied.
*Public display
By public screening is meant the showing of films and programs in places where the viewer does not pay admission or buy a ticket to gain access to the screening. Film screenings that take place at public gatherings and public events are, according to the law, public.
*Institutional display
Institutional screening refers to the screening of films and programs for a closed circle who, in most cases, have a common interest in seeing what is shown. It is important to note that the viewer must not have purchased an entrance ticket or ticket to see the program, but must have a natural affiliation to the group, or a common interest with the other viewers, who are watching the film or program.