Copyright Act 1994

Performers' rights - Acts permitted in relation to performances - Acts permitted in relation to performances

178: Playing or showing sound recording, film, or communication work at educational establishment

You could also call this:

"Playing music or videos at school for learning is allowed"

You can play or show a sound recording, film, or communication work at school for instruction. This is allowed if the audience is made up of students, staff, or people connected to the school. It does not break any copyright rules under subparts 2 to 4. You are considered connected to the school if you are a student or staff member. Just being a parent or guardian of a student does not make you connected to the school.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM346834.

This page was last updated on 3 December 2025 — View changes

Topics:

Education and learning > School educationArts and culture > Arts fundingIntellectual property > Copyright

177: Things done for purposes of instruction or examination, or

"Copying for school lessons or exams is allowed"

179: Recording of communication works by educational establishment, or

"Schools can record or copy works for educational purposes"

Part 9Performers' rights
Acts permitted in relation to performances: Acts permitted in relation to performances

178Playing or showing sound recording, film, or communication work at educational establishment

The playing or showing of a sound recording, film, or communication work at an educational establishment for the purposes of instruction before an audience consisting of persons who are students or staff members at the establishment or persons directly connected with the activities of the establishment does not infringe any of the rights conferred by subparts 2 to 4.
For the purposes of this section, a person shall not be treated as a person directly connected with the activities of an educational establishment by reason only that the person is a parent or guardian of a student at that educational establishment.

Notes

Section 178 heading: amended, on 31 October 2008, by section 81(1) of the Copyright (New Technologies) Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 27).
Section 178(1): amended, on 30 December 2018, by section 26(1) of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership Amendment Act 2018 (2016 No 90).
Section 178(1): amended, on 31 October 2008, by section 81(2) of the Copyright (New Technologies) Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 27).