Oval Film was created last year to show, via DVD, films old and new to Oval Essential members. So far, Oval Film must have exhibited scores of films since its inception--but were these legal showings? All films on DVD that are not shown in your own home need a license for exhibition. Stuy Town Reporter called the chief dispenser for such licenses and found out there is no record of a license being granted to any film showings in this zip code. The possibility exists, as it was explained to me, that the exhibitor of these films may be licensing them individually, studio by studio, but that would be a troublesome procedure, as generally an umbrella license can take care of a significant number of films.
Oval Film will be showing the following movies this week:
Zach and Miri Make A Porno
Old Yeller
Harold and Maude
Mr. And Mrs. Smith
Australia
So the question arises: Are these legal showings or do they violate Title 17, U.S. Code, Section 106? If they do violate copyright laws, perhaps the next showing at Oval Film will be THE FBI.
Stuy Town Reporter intends to follow this issue up with a query to the MPAA and will report back here with more findings.
BTW, this reporter already contacted Oval Amenities/Essentials on this matter, but did not receive a response to his query. If anyone wants to follow up my query, please feel free to do so.
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