Ask Us: Scholarly Communications

Netflix is kind of tricky. The user agreement when you created your Netflix account prohibits showing movies in a public venue (it might be considered a contract violation). They will let you show some documentaries – See their list of rules for Educational Screenings of Documentaries.

However, if this is for the classroom there is a separate part of copyright law that lets teachers show video in class. You can show video:

1. During face-to-face teaching
2. When viewed in a classroom or other place of instruction
3. With a lawfully made copy
4. As a regular part of instruction and directly related to the content being taught

A public showing of a film, even at no cost, accessing it through your personal Netflix account may be in question. If you can shift the event to a closed, educational setting you would perhaps be more in compliance with U.S. Copyright law.