By law, as well as by intent, the pre-recorded videocassettes and DVDs ("Videos") which are available in stores throughout the Republic of Ireland are for home use only -- unless you have a licence to show them elsewhere.

Rentals or purchases of Videos do not carry with them licences for non-home showings. Before you can legally engage in non-home showings, you must have a separate licence which specifically authorises such use.

These simple, straightforward rules are embodied in the Copyright and Related Rights Act of 2000, http://www.patentsoffice.ie. Any institution, organisation, company or individual wishing to engage in non-home showings of Videos should be aware of the Copyright Act's provisions governing the showing of Videos, which are highlighted below. The Copyright and Related Rights Act of 2000 grants to the copyright owner the exclusive right among others to make available to the public the work chapter 4, section 37(B) of the copyright and related rights Act of 2000.

• "The rental or purchase of a Video does not carry with it the right "to perform, show or play the work in public." Section 42 (3) The Copyright and Related Rights Act of 2000.
  
  
• "Videos 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. (Earnest Turner Electrical Instruments Ltd. Vs PRS Ltd. Vs PRS Ltd [1943] CH 167)
  
  
• "Videos may be shown without a licence"at an educational establishment for the purpose of instruction and by a teacher in the course of the activities of the establishment concerned section 55(i) of the Copyright and Related Rights Act of 2000.

The licensing process is simple. Just call + 353 656820368 or send an email to ieinfo@mplc.ie and a Certified Licensing Representative will contact you shortly.