Kalamazoo College follows the U.S. Copyright Law and the practices of most of the universities in the U.S. for digitizing materials in the Library collection.
For films:
- The DVDs, especially popular studio films, that we have in our collection generally have an implicit license for “home use only,” which we expand via the TEACH act to classroom showing only. If a non-class group on campus wanted to show the film, they would need public performance rights (PPR). The Library does not pay for PPR costs if they do not come with the film purchase. The requesting department is responsible for those costs.
- For streaming licenses, films are generally “leased” for a period of time, unless a perpetual license (usually “for the life of the file”) is purchased. If a DVD title is available for Library purchase on a streaming platform, we pursue those licenses. The Library cannot subscribe to commercial streaming platforms (e.g. Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, etc.).
- In a case of VHS content (considered an obsolete format), for which no alternative exists and no rightsholders can be found, we may digitize a copy of the film, make the digital copy available streaming, and store the VHS.
For books, Librarians will pursue a Copyright Clearance Center (CCC) license for digitization. The Library does not pay the fees for the CCC license, but will act as intermediary to obtain them and charge the responsible department. If a CCC license or publisher permission cannot be obtained because the rightsholder cannot be found, the Library cannot digitize the materials unless an emergency situation (such as a pandemic) applies.