New Mexico Dental Journal Spring 2015

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New Mexico Dental Journal, Spring 2015 22
BODH
Ten years ago, I gave my sister a tour of
my new dental office. I showed her my
brand new TVs on the ceiling and demon-
strated how I could show movies to my patients as
they had their teeth cleaned. Her silence baffled
me as this was a “cool touch” in my mind. She
laughingly asked, “Do you have a license to show
movies?” “Hmmm...um...no”, I replied. “What are
you talking about?”
I have spent the last year writing about new
rules and regulations for the New Mexico Board
of Dental Health, giving updates pertinent to
licensees, and giving legal reminders. I write
today, however, with a
personal connection to
another “license” issue.
My sister, Erica Haupert,
serves as the Vice President
of Studio Relations for the
Motion Picture Licensing
Corporation (MPLC) in
Los Angeles, California.
She informed me that
the law requires that any
entity that shows movies,
documentaries, children’s programming, or
audiovisual content in a commercial setting
must have a license to do so. Who knew?
According to the U.S. Copyright Act, copyrighted
movies and programs that are rented or purchased
are for personal use only. Showing movies outside
the home, such as in a dental office, requires a
public performance license, even if there is no
charge for admission or is for a non-profit agency
or organization.
As of November 2014, through an agreement
with the American Dental Association and
the Motion Picture Licensing Corporation,
ADA members can now obtain a reduced rate
“Umbrella License” to show movies and other
similar recordings in their dental offices legally.
Currently, the license is $280 and will be renew-
able annually thereafter. Non-ADA-members pay
$330 annually.
According to Sal Laudicina, President of the
Motion Picture Licensing Corporation’s licensing
division, “The Umbrella License provides compre-
hensive copyright coverage for over 650 motion
picture producers, ranging from major Holly-
wood studios like Disney and 20th Century Fox,
to independent, children’s, specialty, and foreign
language producers. Once licensed, movies can
be obtained from any legal source whether rented,
purchased, downloaded or borrowed. There is no
reporting of titles shown and all formats whether
via DVDs, streaming, or downloads are covered.”
An important note is that the NMBoard of Dental
Health Care does not issue licenses for the MPLC
for the exhibition of movies, etc. However, as this
license requirement refers to staying in compli-
ance with U.S. Copyright Laws, any violation of
federal law or fines incurred shall be reported to
the Board, as one would do through self-reporting
of other disciplinary or legal action, as indicated
in NMSA 16.5.16.10.19. Fines for inadvertent
copyright violations start at $750 and extend up
to $150,000 for egregious violations.
If your practice wishes to show movies a license
is required. The ADA, NM Dental Asso -
ciation, and the NM Board of Dental Health
Care encourage its members/licensees to
comply with federal copyright law. To secure
an Umbrella License for your practice, simply
contact the MPLC directly at (800) 462-8855
or online at . Information is also
available at the ADA website by v isiting
Do You Have a License For That?
By Kimberly Martin, DMD, New Mexico Board of Dental Health
Any entity that shows
movies, documentaries,
children’s programming,
or audiovisual content
in a commercial setting
must have a license...
continues 