Archival video distribution

Looking for advice on distributing archival copies of performances done at our community theater. In the past, we would just burn it to a DVD, but these days DVD/BluRay players are becoming more rare. I was considering compiling to an MP4 and copying that to a cheap USB stick to hand out. But my fear is that would make it much easier for the recipients to either make copies or, heaven forbid, upload to YouTube, etc. Yes, the same can be done with the DVD, but at least that takes a few more steps and a bit of knowledge to accomplish.

We would include a disclaimer that our license agreement allows these for personal use only and cannot be copied or uploaded, but I don't know how much people would adhere to that.

Curious as to what other folks are doing these days.

Thanks,
Jim
Watertown Players
 
I would double check your agreement... I very much doubt you have an agreement that says archival copies can be distributed... does it happen all the time? yes. Should it? no.

I won't particularly comment much beyond that as to not implicate myself, but if you did in fact have the rights to distribute recordings I would encrypt the files or make them available for viewing, but not downloading. Various online platforms have that capability.
 
I too won't get involved in the legal aspects of the actual recordings.

Vimeo's pretty good about view-only, but not cheap.
 
I would double check your agreement... I very much doubt you have an agreement that says archival copies can be distributed... does it happen all the time? yes. Should it? no.

I won't particularly comment much beyond that as to not implicate myself, but if you did in fact have the rights to distribute recordings I would encrypt the files or make them available for viewing, but not downloading. Various online platforms have that capability.
I don't have the agreement in front of me, but from their website when applying:

"Nonpro Live/Video Archival License - An Archival Video License allows you to record your production for archival purposes and provide at cost copies to your cast and crew. This license may be selected as an add-on."

There are also separate selections for some shows that allow streaming on top of that, and we didn't purchase that. So I don't think uploading it somewhere and supplying a link would be allowed in this instance.

I thought about doing some sort of encrypting as well on the USB stick, but can't quite figure out how that would work for the end user. Especially if just plugging into a smart TV to watch...
 
Google drive has a setting where you can disable downloading for people who have view-only access. Between that and setting it so only people you specifically share the file with (identified by their email address) can view, you can at least claim to have done your due diligence in limiting distribution. Just like copying physical DVDs, there are ways to get around these limitations too...

Of course, this works great in an organization where everyone already uses Google products, and less well in more loosely connected groups where everyone does their own thing. It also has the individual disadvantage that it's reliant on whoever maintains that Drive account for ongoing/future access.
 
I don't have the agreement in front of me, but from their website when applying:

"Nonpro Live/Video Archival License - An Archival Video License allows you to record your production for archival purposes and provide at cost copies to your cast and crew. This license may be selected as an add-on."

There are also separate selections for some shows that allow streaming on top of that, and we didn't purchase that. So I don't think uploading it somewhere and supplying a link would be allowed in this instance.

I thought about doing some sort of encrypting as well on the USB stick, but can't quite figure out how that would work for the end user. Especially if just plugging into a smart TV to watch...

This to me looks like an add on per contract basis from the kind folks at Concord/Disney and associated partners for Jr versions of shows? Not to be confused with standard Licensing Agreements. Again, you would have to check the licensing agreement, but I believe those typically refer to non digital delivery, or hard deliverable copies with specific copyright information to protect both you and them... It should be in the details of your agreement.
 
Leaving the legailty to you and your lawyers.

Vimeo is how I've done it at professional companies. Upload and lock down (don't allow downloading/embeding, can only view with a password, etc). Can add multiple videos to a "showcase" (also behind a password) where you can only share one link and password and add videos at any pace. Google Drive/Dropbox/Box have similar features and could be repurposed as well.

I'd propose a YouTube channel for the company, and the videos are unlinked and unlisted. I believe you could go down a deeper rabbit hole of security. But this approach opens you up to copyright issues/strikes/all the problems of modern media being uploaded to the internet. You could find yourself with ads on an archival video that benefit the "original rights holder" as defined by whoever has the clout of the day.
 

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