http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/frames/master.asp?sid=20&aid=150572
Geoff White
28 June 2005 10:25
A BBC project to make its archive available online has been criticised by a
media MP, who fears it could spark a new trade in illegal downloads.
Derek Wyatt, chairman of the All Party Internet Group, says he plans to
investigate the corporation's plans for a Creative Archive - a publicly
accessible store of its old material.
He fears that the BBC's plan to take the lead on publishing archive material
could have wide-ranging consequences, and points to the illegal downloading
which has plagued the music industry.
"If you let your rights out for free you completely skew the market. That
needs to be looked at very carefully. It could have consequences for
everyone, from independent producers to ITV News," Wyatt said.
"As music was overturned in less than three years I think we have to look
very hard at digital rights. There needs to be a policy on this and it needs
to come from the government."
The Creative Archive was announced by director-general Greg Dyke in August
2003, but was given fresh impetus in April when the BBC unveiled a special
licence to allow users to download and alter material.
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