HIT: COPYRIGHT AND VIDEO DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS

["WALTERS, DONNA" <dwalters@IMAIL.VALPO.K12.IN.US>]

HELLO EVERYONE!
This is the first time I've tried to post a hit.  I don't know how to copy/paste
other email into my email yet so I'm simply going to summarize.

Many of you were interested in whether or not putting a video into the global
menu in a video distribution system would be against copyright or not.

Let me explain that the purpose of putting the video into global is so that the
entire eighth grade can watch a movie at the same time i.e. Sounder.  It is true
that I can schedule each room individually.  But by scheduling it into global,
only one teacher controls the video and the teachers don't "fight" over who has
control or call me 50 times to say "It's not fast forwarding...I can't get it to
rewind."---well, then someone else has control.  However, in the global menu,
sixth or seventh grade teachers who are bright could figure out that they could
access Sounder also even if it's not part of their curriculum.  And that is why
I wondered if it's "broadcasting" and against copyright.

Carol Mann Simpson who edits the copyright questions in Linworth's Technology
Connection said it was definitely againsts copyright and I would be liable
because I'm scheduling and putting the video in.  (Thanks Carol for your prompt
reply and for talking to me on the phone).  Another gentleman suggested that
this topic had been covered in the spring---I don't know how to send for digests
so I didn't do that yet and did not join this group until May.  So I apologize
if I made everyone re-hash this topic.  Several others replied and I thank each
of you for sharing your opinion or for wanting to know.  I have been told that I
WILL put the videos into global unless I have a written statement from a lawyer
that it's illegal.  Carol Mann Simpson said to get my principal to sign a
statement regarding that directive.  This I will do and if I find an answer via
a lawyer, I will also let everyone know.  Thanks again.   Donna Walters