Key Takeaways
Movie showings in senior centers are considered “public performances” and require a public performance license.
Regardless of whether an admission fee is charged, this legal requirement applies equally to for-profit and non-profit facilities, including senior centers.
Non-compliance, even inadvertently, can result in fines starting at $750 per showing. Fines for egregious violations are as high as $150,000 per infringement.
If you show movies at your senior center, the law requires that you have a public performance license.
The good news is that the National Institute of Senior Centers (NISC) has you covered! As a NISC member, your center is eligible for a discounted Umbrella License® from the Motion Picture Licensing Corporation (MPLC). For many years, NISC and MPLC have worked together to provide an affordable, easy way for senior centers to show movies while complying with federal copyright law.
Apply for a license by downloading this application.
