OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE


Group Wants to Binge that Trendy A


fter the past two years of the pandemic, everyone is thanking their lucky stars for movies and


television. While many have watched alone or


through streaming services’ “watch party” features, whenever residents watch in a lounge, theater room, or community room, it’s considered a “public performance”— and it requires a license. The license is required by copyright law.


And for many such public performances, a different license and fee is required for each single showing. A fine can range from $750 to $150,000 for a single illegal showing. Luckily—again—senior living audiences


have a less costly and burdensome alterna- tive: The Umbrella License® for Senior Living Communities, offered by the Motion Picture Licensing Corporation (MPLC). Getting an Umbrella License keeps a


community covered for thousands of films and television shows. When your license application is complete, “you can show un-


limited movies, TV, and other audiovisual content with the assurance of copyright compliance,” the MPLC states. “Obtain content on your own in any legal


format including, but not limited to broad- cast, cable or satellite television, DVD, Blu- ray, download, or streaming services. There is no obligation to report the titles shown.”


Consult the FAQs The Umbrella License FAQs address the most common issues around copyright, including these: • Nonprofit organizations still need a license. • If someone rents space at your commu- nity and shows a film, you still could be liable for the copyright fine if you don’t have a license.


• You can look up covered titles using imdb.com (the Internet Movie Database, which many of us have become very fa- miliar with since the pandemic).


• Full information and the application for the Umbrella License can be found at


TV Show? Check Your License First By Sara Wildberger


seniorliving.mplc.org. Having the license can give a community legal peace of mind as well as ensure that the copyright holders get their due.


Retired entertainers benefit, too Even those who created the entertainment have to have a license to watch in groups. The National Association of Activity Pro- fessionals newsletter recently reported on a visit to The Motion Picture & Television Fund’s campus for retired members of the entertainment industry, where they have several small viewing areas as well as the Louis B. Mayer Theatre. “We knew that copyright compliance


was essential, especially since our residents’ careers depended on a fundamental respect for copyright,” the NAAP newsletter quotes Fredda Johnson, director of engagement at the residence, as saying. “Our relationship with MPLC makes it


possible for us to entertain and engage our industry seniors in a very meaningful way.”


OTHER USEFUL LICENSES


Performing Rights Organizations (PROs) control what can be performed in public. Each group represents a different roster of songwriters. Here are just a few of the cases where you would benefit from having all licenses:


• On-hold music


• A DJ hired for a dance (even if you pay them, you still need permission)


• Playing piano at a gathering


• Fitness classes (Permission is tied to the business where the piece is performed. A freelance or staff fitness instructor can’t buy a license that travels with them.)


• Background music at dinner Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI)


About one of every two songs on the radio is licensed by BMI, says the service. BMI has several licensing structures: see bmi.com


American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) ASCAP represents the ones who write the songs—more than 710,000 songwriters, composers, and publishers. Check the FAQ for some exceptions and how to get the right license: ascap.com.


Society of European Stage Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) They have more than 1 million songs covered by their licensing, and many different types of blanket licenses to suit different types of businesses and situations: sesac.com.


JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022 ARGENTUM.ORG 27


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44