Cinema Licence Application In South Africa

When Operating a cinema in South Africa, an organizer needs to first get a Film and Publications Board (FPB) license, which gives them permission to show movies at a specific place. If international content is being shown, an MPLC License is required

What is the Film and Publications Board (FPB) license?

The purpose of the FPB is to regulate the creation, production, possession and distribution of certain publications, games and films by means of classification, the imposition of age restrictions, and giving of consumer advice, and further makes the use of children in and the exposure of children to pornography punishable.

Motion Picture Licensing Company SA (Pty) Ltd

Whenever audiovisual content, whether films or TV shows on DVD/Blu-ray, downloads, streaming, broadcast television, pay TV and video on demand are being viewed outside the private home it is considered a ‘public performance’ where legal authorisation is needed to avoid copyright infringement.

MPLC licences these public exhibitions – the right for an audience to view all audiovisual content in a public location, such as retailers, waiting rooms, reception areas, bars & restaurants, coaches, activity centres, schools, children’s nurseries, care homes etc.

In order to make it easy to comply with the copyright law, MPLC is offering an annual ‘MPLC Umbrella Licence®’ which allows unlimited showings of all works from MPLC’s rightsholders without the need of reporting titles, dates or times of performance.

How much does an MPLC license cost?

The MPLC will contact and advise each licensed member of this extension. Please contact the MPLC directly at www.mplc.org or 800-462-8855 to obtain additional information, including a calculation of your fees, and obtain a license. at the annual rate of $12 per connection.

Is it legal to show a movie in public?

You certainly are free to watch the movie yourself, but, beyond that, your rights are very limited by law. In particular, you do not have the right to show the movie to “the public.” In most cases, doing that requires a separate “public performance” license from the copyright owner.

How much is an MPLC Umbrella Licence?

MPLC’s Umbrella LicenceAn MPLC Umbrella Licence® gives legal access to public exhibition of content from more than 850 rightsholders: Annual fee – Based on type and size of location or business.

Do we need a MPLC Licence?

A licence is required regardless of whether an admission fee is charged. However, the MPLC Umbrella Licence® covers only those situations where admission is not charged.

Does MPLC cover Netflix?

Yes. Netflix is limited to the customer’s personal and non-commercial use only. The Umbrella License allows the public performance of Video from all legal formats whether rented or purchased via stream or download.

Contact Details

FPB Details

Head Office

Physical Address
ECO Glade 2
420 Witch Hazel Street
ECO Park
Centurion
0169

Postal Address
Private Bag X31
Highveld Park
0169

Contact
+27 (0) 12 003 1400
Client support: 0800 000 555
Email: clientsupport@fpb.org.za

Motion Picture Licensing Company SA (Pty) Ltd.
2 Avalon, 2nd Floor
123 Hope Street Gardens
Cape Town, South Africa
info@mplc.za