The MPLC Launches Umbrella License® for Pediatric Dentists

American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry among charter organizations to partner with MPLC

Los Angeles, CA – The Motion Picture Licensing Corporation (MPLC), an independent copyright licensing agency, is introducing its Umbrella License for Pediatric Dentists. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) is among the first to partner with MPLC for the purpose of offering this license to its members, allowing dentists to show movies and other children’s programming in a copyright compliant manner.  Through their agreement, AAPD members can obtain the Umbrella License at a discounted rate.

The license provides dentists the performance rights to show movies, popular children’s programs, educational documentaries, and other audiovisual content for entertainment purposes in their patient waiting rooms and exam rooms. Movies can be shown from more than 425 Hollywood studios, independent, special interest, children-related, and foreign producers. Once a license is secured, pediatric dentist office administrators can rent or purchase movies and play them without any further reporting.

According to the US Copyright Act, Title 17 of the United States Code, copyrighted motion pictures and other programs that are available for rental or purchase in any legal format, are intended for personal, private, and home use only. Exhibitions outside of the home, such as within a medical office, require a public performance license. Regardless of whether or not an admission fee is charged, this legal requirement applies equally to for-profit and not-for-profit organizations.

“Children are sometimes apprehensive when going to see the dentist, and seeing a familiar face on the screen can sometimes help soothe a child’s emotions and alleviate stress,” said Sal Laudicina, President of the MPLC Licensing Division. “We designed our Umbrella License as a convenient and comprehensive copyright compliance solution to provide a wide array of program possibilities for pediatric dentists. AAPD members now have the peace of mind to show the type of movies and programming children know and love, in accordance with federal law. We are happy to have forged a relationship with the AAPD and look forward to making it possible for its members to provide their patients with fun entertainment to look forward to at their next visit.”

“The AAPD is pleased to partner with the MPLC so that our members can conveniently obtain a discounted copyright license and have the option of entertaining their patients with child-friendly video entertainment,” said Dr. John S. Rutkauskas, Chief Executive Officer of the AAPD.

About the Motion Picture Licensing Corporation

The Motion Picture Licensing Corporation was established more than 25 years ago by motion picture executives to provide public access to the work of the creative community without copyright infringement. The MPLC is the world leader in motion picture copyright compliance, supporting legal access across five continents and more than 20 countries. The MPLC provides licenses to more than 250,000 facilities in the United States and over 450,000 worldwide. More information can be found at www.mplc.org.

About the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) is the recognized authority on children’s oral health.  As advocates for children’s oral health, the AAPD promotes evidence-based policies and clinical guidelines; educates and informs policymakers, parents and guardians, and other health care professionals; fosters research; and provides continuing professional education for pediatric dentists and general dentists who treat children.  Founded in 1947, the AAPD is a not-for-profit professional membership association representing the specialty of pediatric dentistry.  Its 8,400 members provide primary care and comprehensive dental specialty treatments for infants, children, adolescents and individuals with special health care needs.    For further information, please visit the AAPD website at http://www.aapd.org or the AAPD’s consumer website at http://www.mychildrensteeth.org.