Film distributors often have specific licensing terms for academic scenarios. Examples include:

CLASSROOM RIGHTS may allow unlimited use in face-to-face classroom situations for the life of the media. These licenses generally do not include public screenings or digital transmission of any kind. When available, consumer-priced DVDs purchased with institutional licenses may be used in the classroom.

PUBLIC PERFORMANCE RIGHTS  allow educational and nonprofit groups to screen a film where admission is not charged. The term of the public performance license is for the life of the DVD. Films purchased without Public Performance Rights are restricted for individual viewing or face-to-face teaching in the classroom only. .

DIGITAL SITE LICENSES allow colleges, universities and nonprofits to locally host and stream to their community on a closed, password-protected system. Licensing periods can vary with terms such as 1-year, 3-years, 7-years; although some distributors do offer licenses for the life of the digital file.