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Netflix

Can I show a Netflix movie in my class? Generally, no. 

Netflix's terms of service, like those of most streaming services (Amazon Prime, Disney+, Hulu), restrict content for personal, non-commercial use. This means institutional or educational use isn't covered.

Exceptions: Some Netflix original documentaries have a special permission for educational screenings. See Educational Screening Permission tab for more information.

Here's more information...

While copyright law allows for exemptions in educational settings, like showing clips under fair use (Section 107) or using your own DVDs (Section 110), these exemptions can be overridden by the specific licenses streaming services have with copyright holders. These licenses might restrict educational use even though copyright law itself allows it. 

This creates a situation where streaming a movie from your personal Netflix account in class becomes problematic.  Your personal account is for non-commercial purposes, and a classroom setting falls outside that scope.

That's why libraries offer to obtain streaming videos through institutional subscription vendors like Alexander Street Press, Kanopy, Films on Demand, or Docuseek.  These vendors have licenses specifically designed for educational use, ensuring you can legally show content that enriches your lessons.

Educational screenings of documentaries

Some Netflix original educational documentaries are available for one-time educational screenings.

To find out which titles are available for educational screenings, visit media.netflix.com and search for the title or browse our recent and upcoming releases.

Titles that are available for educational screening will display either the following Grant of Permission or an Educational Screenings Permission (ESP) on their details page: 

 

Grant of Permission for Educational Screenings

Netflix is proud to present original programming that speaks to our users in a meaningful way. We know that many of you are as excited about these films and series as we are, and because of their informational aspects, you’d like to show them in an educational setting -- e.g., in the classroom, at the next meeting of your community group, with your book club, etc. Consequently, we will permit one-time educational screenings of any of the titles noted with this information, on the following terms:

The film or series may only be accessed via the Netflix service, by a Netflix account holder. We don’t sell DVDs, nor can we provide other ways for you to exhibit the film.

The screening must be non-profit and non-commercial. That means you can’t charge admission, or solicit donations, or accept advertising or commercial sponsorships in connection with the screening.

Please don’t use Netflix’s logos in any promotion for the screening, or do anything else that indicates that the screening is “official” or endorsed by Netflix.

"One-time screening" means that you can't hold screenings several times in one day or one week - but if, for example, you're an educator who wants to show these films or series once a semester over multiple semesters, that's okay.

We trust our users to respect these guidelines, which are intended to help you share and discuss our content in your community.

source: Netflix and Educational Screening

To show educational documentaries in your classroom:

  • You'll need a personal Netflix account.
  • Before showing any film, double-check the details page to confirm the "Grant of Permission for Educational Screening" still applies.
  • Films added after 2021 will have a link that says "Before screening this title, read the Educational Screening Permission (ESP)." Be sure to review the ESP.

 

Netflix offers a selection of educational documentaries on YouTube, providing instructors with engaging resources to enrich their online classes.

Educational Documentaries | Netflix YouTube Playlist

Media Streaming Databases

Video and Streaming Media

The Library provides access to thousands of films, including documentaries, feature films, and instructional videos. Don't see the video you need? Contact reserve@csusm.edu.

Database Full-Text Coverage Scholarly

Films on Demand

Films on Demand is a web-based digital video delivery platform that allows a user to view streaming videos from Films Media Group anytime, anywhere, 24/7! Thousands of videos are available for in-class use and remote viewing from the library, in the dorm, or at home. Our high-quality streaming videos can be accessed by librarians, faculty, and students through online card catalogs, learning management systems, and distance learning courses. And special features built into the Films Demand platform allow users the ability to organize and bookmark clips, share playlists, store quick links to favorite videos, and manage their entire collection through an administrative reporting system.

Full-text current  Some

Kanopy Video Library

Kanopy Video Library provides streaming on-demand access to thousands of documentaries, feature and independent films, and training videos. Licensing partners include Criterion Collection, Universal Paramount, The Great Courses, New Day Films, California Newsreel, PBS, First Run Features, Media Education Foundation, Documentary Educational Resources, and others. Kanopy videos can be viewed on a range of devices and platforms including Apple, Android, and Windows. Titles are added by instructor request. Don't see the video you need? Contact media@csusm.edu.

Full-text current  

Docuseek

Docuseek is a streaming video provider of documentaries and films. CSUSM doesn't have access to all Docuseek films, but you can view licensed content by selecting Browse and check the box for "Show only licensed films" in the right panel. CSUSM provides access to Docuseek titles by instructor request. Contact media@csusm.edu if you don't see the title you need.

Full-text current  

Alexander Street Press

Alexander Street Press provides streaming access to documentaries and films. Titles are added by instructor request. Don't see the video you need? Contact media@csusm.edu.

Full-text current  

 

Media Streaming Troubleshooting

Playback Issues:

If you are experiencing buffering on a video, or if a film is not playing, follow the troubleshooting tips below:

  • Check your internet speed - make sure it is not lower than the recommended speed of 6-10Mbps
  • Update your current internet browser or try a different internet browser and/or try your internet browser in incognito or private mode
  • Clear your internet browser's cache and cookies
  • Ensure that any firewall or security software you use is not blocking the database you are trying to access
  • Restart your device 

Viewing Requirements:

For the best viewing experience, make sure your computer or mobile device meets the requirements listed below:

Computer or Mobile Device    Requirements
Microsoft Windows
  • Windows 10 or 11
  • Firefox, Google Chrome, or Microsoft Edge (only the latest version is tested and supported)
  • Broadband Internet or Wi-Fi connection
Apple Mac OS
  • Apple MacOS Mojave (version 10.14 and higher)
  • Apple Safari, Firefox, or Google Chrome
  • Broadband Internet or Wi-Fi connection
iPad/iPhone
  • Apple iOS 13 and higher
  • Apple Mobile Safari 
  • Wi-Fi or cellular data connection
Android
  • Android 9 or later
  • Chrome browser
  • Wi-Fi or cellular data connection

For more information on Mediasite troubleshooting, please visit Troubleshooting Playback Issues and/or Mediasite Player Requirements and Considerations

Known Errors and Solutions:

"Bad Request - Request Too Long" Error (exclusive to Google Chrome) 

  1. Try using a different internet browser and/or clear the cache and cookies in your Chrome browser, making sure to completely close all browser windows and tabs after doing so. To clear your Chrome cookies & cache, click on the three vertical dots at the top right of the browser & then go to settings.
  2. From the settings page, click on Security and Privacy on the left-hand side of the page.  You should then see an option that says clear browsing data.

Playback Issues:

If you are experiencing buffering on a video, or if a film is not playing, follow the troubleshooting tips below:

  • Check your internet speed - it is recommended to have an internet speed of at least 5Mbps for an HD stream
  • Update your internet browser or try a different internet browser
  • Clear your internet browser's cache and cookies
  • Ensure that any firewall or security software you use is not blocking the database you are trying to access
  • Restart your device 

Viewing Requirements:

Computer or Mobile Device Requirements
Microsoft Windows
  • Windows 10 or 11
  • Kanopy recommends using the latest version of Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge.
Apple Mac OS
  • Apple MacOS x 10.11 Sierra and above
  • Kanopy recommends using the latest version of Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge.
Mobile Devices
  • You must download the Kanopy app in order to view films on mobile devices
  • Android 7.1+
  • iPhones/iPads with iOS 11.0+
  • Amazon Fire tablets with FireOS 6+

For more information, please visit Kanopy's Technical Help webpage. 

Playback Issues:

If you are experiencing buffering on a video, or if a film is not playing, follow the troubleshooting tips below:

  • Check your internet speed - it is recommended to have an internet speed of at least 200kpbs
  • Update your internet browser or try a different internet browser
  • Clear your internet browser's cache and cookies
  • Ensure that any firewall or security software you use is not blocking the database you are trying to access
  • Restart your device 
  • Enable JavaScript 

Viewing Requirements: 

Computer or Mobile Device Requirements
Microsoft Windows
  • Windows 7 and above
  • Firefox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer 10 (and above), Microsoft Edge, Safari 8 (and above)
  • JavaScript and cookies need to be enabled 
Apple Mac OS
  • Apple macOS x 10.9 Mavericks and higher 
  • Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari 8 (and above)
  • JavaScript and cookies need to be enabled 
Mobile Devices
  • Android v.4.4 (and above)
  • iOS Safari v.9 (and above) 
  • Windows v.9 (and above) 

Playback Issues:

If you are experiencing buffering on a video, or if a film is not playing, follow the troubleshooting tips below:

  • Check your internet speed
  • Update your internet browser or try a different internet browser - Firefox is recommended 
  • Clear your internet browser's cache and cookies
  • Ensure that any firewall or security software you use is not blocking the database you are trying to access
  • Restart your device 

Viewing Requirements: 

Computer or Mobile Device Requirements
Laptops and Desktops
  • Firefox (current), Google Chrome (current), Internet Explorer 10 (and above), Safari 5 (and above) 
  • JavaScript must be turned on in your browser
Mobile Devices and Tablets
  • Docuseek is supported on mobile devices 

For more information, please visit Docuseek's FAQ wiki. 

Playback Issues:

If you are experiencing buffering on a video, or if a film is not playing, follow the troubleshooting tips below:

  • Check your internet speed
  • Update your internet browser or try a different internet browser
  • Clear your internet browser's cache and cookies - ensure cookies are enabled 
  • Ensure that any firewall or security software you use is not blocking the database you are trying to access
  • Restart your device 

Viewing Requirements: 

Computer or Mobile Device Requirements
Microsoft Windows
  • Firefox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge
Mac OS
  • Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari
Mobile Devices
  • 4G data connection or Wi-Fi access