Entertainment is an essential part of life in senior living communities, providing residents with opportunities to relax, engage, and connect with one another. Whether it’s a weekly movie night, a classic film screening, or a TV series marathon, shared entertainment experiences foster a sense of belonging and enhance quality of life.
However, it’s crucial for senior living community leaders to understand the legal requirements associated with public performance licensing and copyright compliance for senior living facilities. Copyright laws exist to protect content creators and ensure that movies and television programs are used appropriately. Failing to comply with these laws can expose communities to legal risks, fines, and reputational damage. Fortunately, solutions exist to make compliance simple and affordable—allowing communities to continue offering enriching entertainment experiences without concern.
To help clarify the requirements and available solutions, Senior Living Executive spoke with Brian Novy, Senior Vice President of Licensing at The Motion Picture Licensing Corporation (MPLC), a leading provider of movie licensing for senior living communities.
Understanding Copyright and Public Performance Laws
What Is Copyright? Copyright is a form of intellectual property law that protects original works of authorship, including books, music, movies, and television programs. The purpose of copyright law is to ensure that creators and rights holders are compensated for the use of their work.
What Is a Public Performance? A public performance is defined in U.S. copyright law as any instance in which a copyrighted work is displayed “at a place open to the public or at any place where a substantial number of persons outside of a normal circle of a family and its social acquaintances is gathered.”
This means that even if a senior living community is private, nonprofit, or not charging admission, a public showing of copyrighted content still requires proper licensing. That includes screenings in communal areas such as lounges, activity rooms, theaters, or outdoor spaces.
Do You Need to Press Pause on Movie Nights?
Not at all! Ensuring compliance is easier than many community leaders realize, thanks to organizations like The Motion Picture Licensing Corporation (MPLC), which provides Blanket Licenses for senior communities and legal movie screenings in senior care.
While residents can privately stream or watch DVDs in their own apartments without issue, public viewings—such as scheduled movie nights—require licensing. Fortunately, the process to obtain the appropriate permissions is straightforward.
“We know the joy and connection that comes from watching movies,” says Brian Novy. “And in senior living facilities, that kind of bonding is crucial. That’s why we work with these communities to enable easy, affordable access.”
About MPLC and Blanket Licensing
MPLC was founded with the mission of simplifying copyright compliance for businesses and organizations that wish to publicly screen entertainment content. We partner with over 1,000 studios and producers, including major Hollywood studios and independent filmmakers, to provide convenient licensing solutions that ensure organizations remain compliant with copyright laws for senior living facilities.
One of the most efficient ways for senior living communities to comply with public performance copyright laws is through a Blanket License from MPLC. This license allows for unlimited screenings, eliminating the need to seek permission for each individual movie or tv show.
“We know the leaders in our senior communities want to avoid any issues, but sometimes the laws and regulations can be a little hard to understand,” Novy explains. “That’s why we walk our customers through the process. We don’t want them having to juggle a hundred different contacts—we’re here to be a one-stop solution.”
He continues, “Our goal is to support senior living communities in offering enriching entertainment without the stress of worrying about compliance. With a Blanket License, communities can continue to provide movie nights for senior living communities and shared entertainment experiences seamlessly.”
Beyond Movie Nights: Other Areas Where Copyright Compliance Matters
While movie nights are one of the most common forms of entertainment in senior living communities, copyright laws extend beyond film screenings. Other areas where public performance rights come into play include:
- Music and Live Entertainment: Playing background music in lobbies, dining halls, and activity rooms requires a separate music performance license. Hosting a live musician or streaming music from services like Spotify or Pandora in communal areas also falls under copyright regulations.
- Television Viewing: Televised events, including sports games, news broadcasts, and popular TV shows displayed in common areas, may also require a license to be compliant.
- Educational Screenings and Guest Speakers: Documentaries, training videos, or any third-party educational content shown to a group must be properly licensed. Even guest speakers incorporating copyrighted media in their presentations could be subject to copyright restrictions.
- Exercise and Wellness Classes: Playing music for yoga, dance, or fitness classes often requires additional licensing to ensure compliance with copyright laws.
- Virtual and Streaming Events: As communities embrace virtual gatherings, it’s important to recognize that streaming content from services like Netflix, Hulu, or YouTube in public areas requires the appropriate permissions.
How MPLC Can Help with Expanded Licensing Needs
MPLC provides more than just movie licensing for senior living facilities—it offers solutions tailored to various entertainment and programming needs. By working with MPLC, senior living communities can ensure compliance across all aspects of entertainment and media use.
“Many community leaders don’t realize that copyright compliance extends beyond movie nights,” says Novy. “We help organizations understand what’s required and provide them with the necessary licenses so they can focus on delivering quality entertainment to their residents.”
Keeping Entertainment Simple and Legal
Senior community movie nights, TV programming, and shared entertainment experiences play an essential role in fostering connections among residents. By securing the appropriate licensing solutions for senior living communities, community leaders can continue offering these meaningful experiences while ensuring compliance with copyright regulations.
The good news? Obtaining a license is quick, easy, and affordable. Once that’s done, all that’s left is to sit back, press play, and enjoy the show—without worry.
For more information about securing a Blanket License for your senior living community, visit www.mplc.com or contact an MPLC licensing representative today.
