Hi Amy, At the first DMCA rulemaking in 2000, there was a proposal that users should be able to convert non-US DVDs to US formats. The Registrar of Copyrights and Librarian of Congress at that time denied the request for this exemption, writing:
The region coding also seems to result in inconvenience rather than actual or likely harm, because there are numerous options available to individuals seeking access to this foreign content (PAL converters to view foreign videotapes, limited reset of region code option on DVD players, or purchase of players set to different codes). (from http://www.copyright.gov/fedreg/2000/65fr64555.html) My advice would be to have one or two multi-region players on hand at the library for patron use, and to warn professors that they will not be able to view the content on North American standalone machines. Though, as Judy points out, computers can also handle non-standard discs pretty well! Brian Boling Media Services Librarian Temple University Libraries brian.bol...@temple.edu Schedule a meeting during my office hours <http://paleystudy.temple.edu/appointment/8617> On Tue, Aug 30, 2016 at 2:48 PM, Chadwell, Amy <achad...@highpoint.edu> wrote: > Hi All, > > How do you handle situations when a professor wants a foreign language > film that is only available in a non-US region format? > Do you purchase the item and warn the professor of how the item will > likely not play on standard players, but that it would be possible to play > on a computer after switching regions? > Would it be illegal to make one copy of the film that is region-free or > region 1 for ease of student use and destroy or lock away the original? If > you have done this, how did you do it? > > You can reply off list if you like to achad...@highpoint.edu > > Thank you for any insight you may have. > > Amy Chadwell > > [cid:11C81220-3EA6-496F-818C-15A5B3561BCA] > > VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of > issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic > control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in > libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as > an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of > communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video > producers and distributors. > >
VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors.
