While modern technology makes accessing streaming, movies and TV shows effortless, displaying copyrighted works in a public setting requires legal authorisation.
While modern technology makes accessing TV shows and films effortless, the purchase, rental, or subscription of a copy of an audiovisual work (such as a DVD, streaming account, or digital download) only grants a licence for private, personal viewing. Under UK copyright law, publicly performing a copyrighted work requires a permission from the copyright owner, even if the copy of the work was legally obtained for personal use.
Almost any organisation displaying films or TV programs requires a licence. We’ve streamlined the process to ensure your compliance is effortless and complete.
Location
Private residences
Any space outside of a normal circle of family and friends, including:
offices, lobbies, waiting rooms, clubs, camps, parks.
Audience
Family and a normal circle of social acquaintances.
Employees, customers, patients, members, or the general public.
Media Source
All sources
E.g.: personal streaming accounts, purchased DVDs, Sky, Broadcast, Blu-ray, or Digital Download
All sources
The exact same sources, when displayed in a public setting.
The rules related to public exhibition are detailed in the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (“CDPA 1988”).
According to the CDPA 1988, only the copyright owner holds the exclusive right, among others, “to perform, show or play the work in public” § 16(1)(c)
The rental or purchase of a work does not carry with it the right to make “available for the purpose of exhibition in public” § 18A(3)
Works may be shown without a licence in the home to a normal circle of family and its social acquaintances because such showings are not “public.” Any performance outside a “domestic and private context” is considered a public performance. (Ernest Turner Electrical Instruments Ltd v PRS Ltd [1943] CH 167)
Works may be shown without a licence “at an educational establishment for the purpose of instruction.” § 34 (2).
Other exhibitions of works are illegal unless they have been authorised by licence. Even “performances in ‘semipublic’ places such as clubs, staff rooms, or even hotel bedrooms are public performances subject to copyright control.”
Institutions, organisations, companies or individuals wishing to engage in non-domestic showings of works must secure licences to do so—regardless of whether an admission or other fee is charged.
Non-compliance with the CDPA 1988 is considered infringement and carries steep and significant penalties for both the exhibitor and anyone that contributes to the infringing conduct. (CDPA 1988, § 97 and § 107.)
A common misconception is that how you access a movie or TV show changes your licensing obligation. Discover how UK copyright law applies to your specific setup.
“We pay for a premium, commercial internet subscription and our own streaming accounts, so we can play them on our facility’s screens.”
Consumer streaming accounts are subject to two legal barriers: copyright law (transmitting a stream to a public audience is a public performance) and contract law (the End User Licence Agreement strictly restricts use to personal, non-commercial, residential viewing).
Unlicensed use of content can result in a civil claim for damages, with no upper limit, for each programme or film that is shown, and in some cases even a criminal fine. A licence removes the uncertainty, giving you clear, predictable costs instead of exposure to potentially significant infringement claims
“Over-the-air TV is broadcast for free, and we pay for a TV Licence, so we can turn on whatever channel we want in our lobby.”
While individuals can receive broadcast television for private home viewing, displaying copyrighted movies, TV series, or other audiovisual works to a public gathering constitutes a public performance. A TV Licence only authorises reception of the broadcast signal – it does not carry any public performance rights in the programmes or films being shown, which remain separately licensed.
“We bought a digital copy of the movie on our corporate iPad, so it belongs to us to show as we please.”
Much like physical media, digital purchases and Video-on-Demand (VOD) rentals only grant a personal, non-commercial licence to view the file in a private setting. Playing a digital file in public constitutes a public performance.
According to the CDPA 1988, only the copyright owner holds the exclusive right, among others, “to perform, show or play the work in public” § 16(1)(c)
“We bought this DVD at a retail store, so we have the right to show it in our facility.”
Purchasing a physical disc gives you ownership of the material object (the plastic and metal), not the intellectual property or public performance rights in the content it contains. This is why retail discs carry a standard anti-piracy warning limiting them to private home use.
The rental or purchase of a work does not carry with it the right to make “available for the purpose of exhibition in public” § 18A(3)
Copyright law makes no distinction based on organisational form. Commercial businesses, public sector bodies, charities, and non-profits are all held to the same standard.
A public performance licence is required whether you charge admission, ask for a donation, or show the media entirely for free.
Even if an area is restricted to members, employees, or registered guests (and not the general public on the street), the law still classifies it as a public performance. A screening doesn't need to be organised or promoted — incidental or ad hoc viewing still requires a licence.
Securing the correct public performance licence is more than a legal formality, it is a proactive risk-mitigation strategy. Showing copyrighted TV shows, films or other audiovisual works in public spaces without authorisation exposes your organisation to copyright risk. An MPLC Blanket Licence serves as a vital shield, protecting your business from several critical exposures:
Unlicensed public performances can expose an organisation to a damages claim under the CDPA 1988.
If an organisation continues unlicensed exhibitions after being notified of compliance requirements, a court can treat the infringement as flagrant, increasing the damages awarded under s.97(2) CDPA. An MPLC licence eliminates this severe financial risk entirely.
Proactive Compliance Under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988
Institutions, organisations, companies or individuals wishing to engage in non-domestic showings of works must secure licences to do so—regardless of whether an admission or other fee is charged.
Once licensed, you are legally covered to show authorised works via Streaming, Broadcast, DVD, Blu-ray, or Digital Download (subject to platform Terms of Service).
Instead of negotiating with dozens of individual Hollywood studios and independent producers, one annual blanket licence covers thousands of rightsholders. Full list of MPLC-represented rightsholders can be found here: Our Rightsholders - MPLC.
Protect your brand, your staff, and your facilities from costly copyright litigation, without having to identify, monitor, or control every screen and device across your organisation.
The Power of Partnerships: You don’t have to take our word for it. We are trusted by copyright and professional bodies nationwide to educate members and ensure hassle-free, legal operations.
Is the official UK government body responsible for intellectual property rights including patents, designs, trade marks and copyright, and serves as the regulator and competent authority for collective and independent rights management organisations in the UK. MPLC is listed on the IPO's website under "Licensing bodies and collective management organisations":
MPLC is a member of the British Copyright Council, the UK's independent, not-for-profit body representing over 30 organisations across the creative industries, working together to promote understanding of UK copyright law.
MPLC partners with FACT, protecting IP and providing legal best practice with public performance licensing
