Legal Definitions - display right

The display right is a fundamental component of copyright law that grants the creator or owner of a copyrighted work the exclusive authority to show or exhibit a copy of that work to the public. This right applies whether the display is done directly (in person) or through technological means, such as screens, projectors, or digital platforms. Essentially, it means that only the copyright owner, or someone with their permission, can make a copyrighted work visible to an audience.

• Example 1: Public Art Exhibition

  A local museum acquires a rare, limited-edition print of a famous contemporary painting. Before putting it on display in their main gallery for visitors to view, the museum must ensure they have the necessary authorization from the artist or the painting's copyright holder.

  Explanation: The artist, as the copyright owner, holds the display right for their painting. By exhibiting the print in a public gallery, the museum is publicly displaying a copy of the copyrighted work. Without a license or permission, this action would infringe upon the artist's exclusive display right.

• Example 2: Digital Billboard Advertisement

  A marketing firm designs a new advertising campaign for a client, featuring a striking photograph taken by a freelance photographer. They plan to use this photograph on large digital billboards in several city centers.

  Explanation: The freelance photographer owns the copyright to their image, which includes the display right. Placing the photograph on public digital billboards constitutes a public display of the copyrighted work through technological means. The marketing firm would need to secure a license from the photographer to legally use and display the image in this manner.

• Example 3: Educational Film Screening

  A university department decides to host a public screening of a recently released documentary film in their large auditorium, inviting students, faculty, and the general public to attend.

  Explanation: The production company or director of the documentary holds the display right for their film. Showing the film to a public audience in an auditorium is a public display of the copyrighted work using technological projection. Even for educational purposes, if the screening is open to the general public, the university would typically need to obtain a public performance license from the copyright holder to legally exhibit the film.