[Ecommerce] BBC aims high for the Creative Archive

[davidt@public-domain.org]

The BBC has just released its Charter Review report, and they have a *very*
nice section on the Archive. Now we have to make sure this gets into the
charter.
David

Full text at http://www.bbc.co.uk/thefuture/

[snip]
The Creative Archive: opening up the treasure chest

Imagine being able to view and listen =96 and even download and own =96
extracts from the world=92s largest television and radio archive.

53% of internet users download content for their own compilations55. For
the first time, the BBC will open up its treasure chest of programmes to
the public who own it and make its contents available to individuals and
to families for learning, for creativity and for pleasure. Two-thirds of
current and prospective broadband users say they are interested in the
Creative Archive service56.

The BBC Creative Archive will establish a pool of high-quality content
which can be legally drawn on by collectors, enthusiasts, artists,
musicians, students, teachers and many others, who can search and use this
material non-commercially. And where exciting new works and products are
made using this material, we will showcase them on BBC services.

Initially we will release factual material, beginning with extracts from
natural history programmes. As demand grows, we are committed to extending
the Creative Archive across all areas of our output.

We are developing this unique initiative in partnership with other major
public and commercial audio-visual collections in the UK, including
leading museums and libraries. Our ambition is to help establish a common
resource which will extend the public=92s access while protecting the
commercial rights of intellectual property owners.

=93The announcement by the BBC of its intent to develop a Creative Archive
has been the single most important event in getting people to understand
the potential for digital creativity=85 If the vision proves a reality,
Britain will become a centre for digital creativity, and will drive many
markets =96 in broadband deployment and technology =96 that digital creativ=
ity
will support.=94

Professor Lawrence Lessig, Professor of Law, Stanford University, 2004

[/snip]