Q. One of our student groups is planning on showing a recent rented DVD and a purchased DVD for Black History Month. When I found out, I asked

The U.S. Copyright Law states that is not infringement for instructors or students to use videos in the classroom, even those that are labeled "for home use only" as long as they are using legally obtained videos and the use is for face-to-face instruction in a nonprofit educational institution.

In order to obtain public performance rights, you must contact the vendor, a clearinghouse, or the owner/creator of the work.