Frequently Asked Questions

Purchasing
Licensing & Usage Information
Membership
About Reframe and the Tribeca Film Institute
The Films
Using the Site
- How do I report any errors I experience with the site?
- Can I make suggestions or comments?
DVDs - Technical Concerns
- My DVD won’t play properly. Why is this?
Digital Download - Technical Concerns
- I'm not sure if my computer will work with Video On Demand. What should I do?

Purchasing

How do I purchase content on Reframe and what is Amazon's role in the transaction?

Reframe has partnered with Amazon (and Amazon Video on Demand) to provide you with a reliable and secure transaction platform for purchasing content. To buy DVDs, simply add all your favorite film selections to your Reframe cart and when you are finishing browsing, select "View Cart" in the upper right hand corner of any page on the site. Review your purchase and hit "check out". You will be sent directly to Amazon.com to finalize your payment and shipping information.

To make a Digital Purchase or Rental, click "Purchase Now" or "Rent Now" on the desired Reframe film page, and you will be sent directly to the film's enhanced Video on Demand page at Amazon.com. There you can choose to stream or download the content for rental or purchase. To learn more about technical compatibility, please review the next question.

Finalizing your transactions at Amazon should be quick and easy. If you already have an Amazon account, simply type you user name and password when prompted. If you don’t, you can quickly create one at check-out.

What is Video On Demand (VOD)?

Video on Demand means that you can buy or rent Reframe content and watch it on your computer, TV (through TiVo), Sony Bravia or compatible portable devices.

When you choose to purchase or rent a Reframe film through Video On Demand, you will be taken directly to the film's unique Amazon Video On Demand page where you can select your preferred mode of delivery: streaming or download. All relevant information about purchasing or renting is available to you on this page.

You may choose the "Watch Now" feature to get instant access to your video on a Mac or PC through your web browser using Adobe Flash Player. The videos play back right in your computer's web browser without requiring the download of large files or installation of video player software.

If you prefer to have offline access to your videos on your Windows PC, mobile video devices, or TiVo DVR, those viewing options are also available to you. Please visit these Help pages for more information about offline viewing options:

Video On Demand Player on a PC
Video On Demand on TiVo

Why do some titles list more than one price?

Reframe offers our partners the option to make their work available at varying price points for broader uses, such as in educational settings or for public performances. For this reason, each film page's "purchase options" box includes a separate tab for "Home Use," "Institutional Use" and "Other" pricing options.

For more information about these terms, how they are applied, and which applies to you, please check out the Licensing & Usage Information.

What are the shipping and delivery policies for DVDs?

To learn more, please visit Amazon’s shipping and delivery policies.

May I buy Reframe content with a Purchase Order (PO)?

Yes, we are pleased to accommodate purchase orders. You will first need to establish a credit line and corporate account with Amazon.com. This can be done very easily by following the instructions at Amazon's Purchase Order FAQ. Once everything is set up, simply use your corporate account for check out and include a PO number.

How do I track my order?

All DVD purchases can be tracked through Amazon’s shipping and tracking link.

What is the return or exchange policy for DVDs and digital downloads?

For information about returning and exchanging DVDs, please visit Amazon's DVD return policy. For questions about Amazon's Video On Demand, visit Amazon Video On Demand Terms of Service.

Licensing & Usage Information

When purchasing a video through Reframe, you are agreeing to the licensing terms established by the content holder. Unless specified otherwise, videos are intended for private, home viewing only.

This is intended as a guideline only and is not intended to be relied on by you. For all legal questions or concerns, you are advised to consult with an experienced attorney familiar with licensing of intellectual property content. Reframe is not a legal advisor and this FAQ may not apply to every situation, and we expressly disclaim any liability you may have to the content holder or otherwise in connection with the licensing terms applicable to any video you purchase through Reframe.

What is the difference between “home viewing only” and “institutional use”?

If you purchase a video licensed for home viewing only and wish to show it in any other place or for any other use, you must obtain a separate license which specifically authorizes such use. The only exceptions to this rule are for certain non-profit educational and library uses, and these exceptions only apply in limited situations (see below, and refer to questions 3 & 4).

Below are some simple rules about home use versus public performance rights that are detailed in the federal Copyright Act, as amended, Title 17 of the United States Code. According to The Copyright Act, only the copyright owner holds the exclusive right, among others, “to perform the copyrighted work publicly.” (Section 106) In summary, the Copyright Act mandates:

Videos may be shown without a separate license in the home to “a normal circle of family and its social acquaintances” (Section 101) because such showings are not considered “public.”
Videos may be shown without a license for non-profit educational purposes and in certain narrowly defined “face-to-face teaching activities” because the law provides limited exceptions for such showings.(See question 3.) (Section 110(1).
All other public performances of videos are illegal unless they have been authorized by license from the rights holder. Even “performances in ‘semipublic’ places such as clubs, lodges, factories, summer camps and schools are ‘public performances’ subject to copyright control.” (Senate Reprt No. 94-473, page 60; House Report No. 94-1476, page 64).
Both for-profit organizations and non-profit institutions must secure a license to show videos, regardless of whether an admission fee is charged. (Senate Report No. 94-473, page 59; House Report No. 94-1476, page 62)

Source: Condensed from the Motion Picture Licensing Corporation (MPCL) "About U.S. Copyright Law"

If a title on Reframe is being sold only for home viewing, how can I find out about purchasing institutional and/or performance rights?

For independent films, the home video distribution company may either own or know who owns the institutional and public performance rights. However, it is often easiest to contact the filmmaker or production company who produced the film.

For films from major distributors, the institutional and public performance rights may often be purchased by contacting these two licensing agencies:

Motion Picture Licensing Corporation (MPLC) [email protected]
Movie Licensing USA [email protected]

If I purchase a product from Reframe that is licensed for home viewing only, may I use it in my classroom?

According to many, including the American Library Association, under specific conditions, purchased or rented pre-recorded video programs may be used in the classroom of a non-profit educational institution.

The conditions that must be satisfied are:

The performance must be by instructors or by pupils.
The performance is in connection with face-to-face teaching activities.
The entire audience is involved in the teaching activity.
The entire audience is in the same room or same general area.
The teaching activities are conducted by a non-profit education institution.
The performance takes place in a classroom or similar place devoted to instruction.
The person responsible for the performance has no reason to believe that the video product was unlawfully made.

Source: American Library Association - Video and Copyright Fact Sheet

We recommend consulting an Intellectual Property attorney if you are unsure whether your use qualifies.

Are there special rules and/or exemptions for libraries in regards to home viewing only products?

According to the American Library Association, here are some copyright rules that apply specifically to libraries:

Loan/Rental of Videos - Libraries may loan/rent videos to patrons for their personal use. This is true even if the video is labeled "For Home Use Only." According to The Copyright Primer for Librarians and Educators, Second Edition by Janis H. Bruwelheide (p. 51), "a library or school that resells, rents, or lends a copy of a copyrighted videotape, which it owns, is not infringing on the copyright owner's rights." Some guidelines to follow when loaning/renting a video to a patron:

Libraries should not obscure (i.e., cover or deface) the copyright notice as it appears on the producer's label.
Libraries should not knowingly loan a video to groups for use in public performances. If a patron inquires about a planned performance of a video, he or she should be informed that only private uses of it are lawful.
Libraries can charge a nominal fee for use of videos. According to Bruwelheide, "The fact that a fee is charged is irrelevant; the right to distribute a copy includes the right to rent it — for a fee or deposit or otherwise."

Library Use of Videotapes - Most public performances of a video in a public room (including library meeting rooms), whether or not a fee is charged, would be an infringement. Such performances require a performance license from the copyright owner. The only exception would be educational programs meeting all seven requirements listed above in Question 3.

Libraries which allow groups to use or rent their public meeting rooms should, as part of their agreement, require the group to warrant that it will secure all necessary performance licenses and indemnify the library for any failure on their part to do so.

Libraries that permit patrons to watch videos in private viewing rooms must strictly limit the viewing to one individual or a very small group and should not levy charges or fees.

Previewing a video before borrowing it could be considered by some to be an infringement if done in public areas of a library. Therefore previewing should be done in a private space.

Notices may be posted on video recorders or players used in the library to educate and warn patrons about the existence of the copyright laws.

Source: American Library Association - Video and Copyright Fact Sheet

Are the products for sale on Reframe licensed for usage outside of the United States?

Reframe videos are only licensed for usage in the United States, its territories and possessions (including Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands).

If I am downloading a video digitally and it says it is for “Home Use Only,” may I screen it in my classroom?

The same rules apply from the question above, "if I purchase a product from Reframe that is licensed for home viewing only, may I use it in my classroom?"

Membership

What does membership allow me to do? How do I sign up?

By joining the Reframe community, you can:

Curate lists of your favorite films,
Rate and review films in the collection
Receive Reframe updates and
Gain access to new community features as soon as they’re launched.

We hope you’ll sign up!

How do I curate a list?

On any film page, click on on the grey plus sign next to the film title. You will be prompted to login or create a new member profile if you have not done so already. You can then curate your own list starting with this film or add the film to a curated list you previously created. Remember, your curated list is public and will be tied to your profile.

Can I contribute to the blogs?

For our launch we've restricting blogging to Reframe's curatorial experts, however, the blogging function will be made available to all Reframe members soon.

Can I rate and review films?

The site does not currently allow for Members to rate and review films, but this feature will be available in the second phase of Reframe's roll-out.

I forgot my user name or password. How can I recover it?

You can use the password retrieval page to retrieve your password. Please make sure to check your SPAM or Bulk folder for the password retrieval email, if you don't recieve the password reminder email. If you need further assistance please contact us

Do you sell member or user information?

Reframe never sells member or user information. We will only provide your email address to our partners if you have selected this option in your member profile. For more information, please see Reframe's Privacy Policy.

About Reframe and the Tribeca Film Institute

Who owns Reframe?

Reframe is a project of the Tribeca Film Institute, a non-profit organization that creates innovative programs that draw on the power of film to promote understanding, tolerance and global awareness. TFI also supports the cultural and economic revitalization of New York City and Lower Manhattan through arts-based initiatives that:

Celebrate and promote film and filmmaking to people of all ages as a medium for self-expression and social action.
Identify and encourage diverse voices from the US and around the world to participate in creating the cultural landscape.
Develop new opportunities and access for those interested in film and the arts.
Educate children, youth and adults about historical and emerging themes in culture.

Additional TFI programs can be found at www.tribecafilminstitute.org.

How does the Tribeca Film Institute relate to the Tribeca Film Festival?

The Tribeca Film Institute is a non-profit sister entity to the Tribeca Film Festival, but it is not controlled by the festival.

Is the site for profit or non-profit?

Our partners earn profits from their work that is sold via Reframe, but for TFI it is a non-profit venture. Any revenues TFI derives from Reframe are reinvested in TFI programs for media artists.

The Films

Are all of the films associated with the Tribeca Film Festival?

No, Reframe is proud to curate, promote and make available a wide range of films from many different sources.

How does Reframe decide which films to include?

The Reframe team partners with distributors, individual filmmakers and content holders to make the best in independent film available to you, much of it for the first time.

I am a filmmaker and/or a content holder and I want to include my title/s on Reframe. How do I sign up?

Please visit Become A Partner page to learn more about becoming a Reframe partner.

Do Reframe films have subtitles and/or closed captioning for the hearing impaired?

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer titles with closed captioning at this time. We look forward to making this feature available in the future.

Using the Site

How do I report any errors I experience with the site?

Please contact our Technical Support.

Can I make suggestions or comments?

We'd love to hear your feedback. Please send a note to General Inquiries.

DVDs - Technical Concerns

My DVD won’t play properly. Why is this?

For issues regarding damaged DVDs, regional code and DVD-R compatibility please consult the Help section of Amazon or contact Amazon.com directly.

Digital Download - Technical Concerns

I'm not sure if my computer will work with Video On Demand. What should I do?

Please read Amazon's Video on Demand System Requirements before making a Video On Demand purchase. For additional technical or compatibility issues, please consult Amazon Video On Demand's FAQ, their general help section or contact Amazon.com directly.

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