Expirations Keep Documentaries Out of Schools

Documentary films that have become classroom classics are running into problems, because their expired rights are preventing schools from obtaining copies.

The most notable example is “Eyes on the Prize,” a 14-part series about the civil rights movement that is a popular offering in many U.S. classrooms, especially during February, when schools across the country formally celebrate African-American history.

“We are very concerned of the impact [of the permissions process] across the board, on education and the ability to educate the public,” said Fred W. Weingarten, the director of the office for information-technology policy at the American...