Playing music OR movies publically can get you in GREAT trouble !! DO NOT LISTEN to those previous persons who are IGNORANT.
What the Law Says
The Federal Copyright Act (Title 17 of the U.S. Code) governs how copyrighted materials, such as movies, may be used. Neither the rental nor the purchase of a movie carries with it the right to show the movie publicly outside the home, unless the site where the movie is used is properly licensed for public exhibition.
Ownership of the movie and the right to use it publicly are two separate issues. The copyright holder retains exclusive public performance rights. This legal requirement applies:
Regardless of whether an admission fee is charged
Whether the institution or organization is commercial or non-profit
Whether a federal, state or local agency is involved.
Under the Copyright Act, a person found liable for copyright infringement can face fines as high as $30,000 for each movie.
JUST FYI, the MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America)