Projector screen for videos.

[xenli]

Just wondering if you know whats legal or not without some kind of license.

Now people come to pay to use your systems.  So if playing a real movie - say Starwars IV dvd
Im sure thats a no-no even though they arent paying to watch a movie, but still paying to be using the computer services.
it just adds to the atmosphere 'cool factor' but sure its still a screening violation.

But any thoughts on playing youtube music videos?  I would think not, and haven't been able to get a real answer on it either.

The real use of the projector is to put leading players on the big screen for all to see.

[RsteeleAUG]

It's all a legal grey area. I mean we don't say "come watch _______ this Friday". That being said we have watched movies on the big screens before. At all nighters usually someone brings something to watch, I always have movies up front for me to watch as well.  We aren't making any type of profit or charging to watch the movie.

When we went to gamestop for the midnight release of Skyrim someone had a projector and Hangover 2 on the side of the strip mall where gamestop is located. I'm sure it's not legal but not like the film industry is cracking down on that yet.

However any illegal downloads or streams that they pull from the internet is a no no our ISP sent us a warning letter after someone file shared an episode of "HOUSE" from our store. It was someone that brought their own laptop we now have paper work and other firewall settings in place to not allow that type of thing to happen again. You tube, hulu, crackle, "legal" video sites are ok I watch them on a regular basis.

As far as music goes we stream different radio stations. Some local that we advertise on and KROQ out of LA because they play some of the newer music that is usually 6 months ahead of what we have on the local stations.

[xenli]

Thanks man.   Thats pretty much what I needed to hear 

[AVDad]

As long as you don't charge and/or advertise them "for profit" it is usually a non-issue.

BTW - I have 5 new screens on rollers that I acquired. They are 16:9 enhanced (1.84:1 ratio not 1.78). In this case, the height is 49.75" and width is 92". Standard 16:9 width would be 88".

The construction GC ordered them for the client and ordered the wrong ones so they paid us to swap them out.

I am planning to use 2 of them as a fixed screen on the wall with a frame cropped to the standard 16:9 format.

If anyone is interested in any of the other 3, PM/DM me.

[Skyshark]

I did some researching...and by no means a legal expert opinion...but according to the information any public performance means any business, trade show, or training event (even non-profit or fund raising) requires a licensing fee to show a studio film.  This may fall along the lines of what those here have said about the gaming licenses...it says that it's not permitted but never any examples of prosecution.

I would agree with the advice so far...don't advertise a movie marathon..or that you'll be showing the latest Blu-Ray releases...but I would consider it an acceptable risk for common area viewing...and especially for those bringing in their own movies to play on PS3 or private party rooms. 

I'm sure every sports bar does not have consent of the UFC for showing all of the pay-per-views every month...so I don't think James Cameron or George Lucas will be pounding down your doors with their league of evil lawyers for showing a movies in the background or special events.