Can teachers use Netflix videos in classes?
Answer
It depends.
The library does not subscribe to Netflix, nor does Netflix allow for institutional accounts that can be shared among faculty/students. Netflix also does not currently sell DVDs of their original content.
Does this prevent you, as an instructor, from logging into your personal account to show Netflix videos in the classroom or during a remote class?
Yes with a small exception
In order to show a film in a public setting, producers and distributors require institutions to purchase public performance rights (PPR) license. If you are familiar with US copyright law (17 U.S. Code § 110), you may know that the Federal Copyright Act does not require PPR for face-to-face classroom or teaching activities. This is why you are generally allowed to show films in class. This includes restricted access synchronous online classes.
On the surface, it may seem as though Netflix would be a viable option for classroom use. However, Netflix works differently due to the terms of their user agreement. This agreement states:
Any third-party agreements, such as Netflix's, supersede US copyright law exemptions, such as those for classroom or teaching activities cited above. Therefore, we generally do not endorse use of Netflix in classes due to the potential for copyright violations.
Now the small exception...
Netflix is unique in that they do allow "one-time" educational screenings (which includes once per semester for educators) of many "Netflix Original" documentaries - a collection of over 100 titles! See the links below for Netflix educational policies and to find and use the documentaries that are available for use in the classroom. The current releases are shown but you can use the search box to find older documentaries.