[Fsfe-uk] Draft letter for a BBC Creative Archive

[MJ Ray]

You can find more about the BBC's Creative Archive from links on 
http://www.public-domain.org/ -- Do the "Friends of the Creative 
Domain coalition" have a site? I'm also a bit hazy on where it has to 
be sent and by when. Help, please!


Here's a draft of the letter which I'd like AFFS to send. It is 
inspired by the other letters, but keeps itself to free software and 
open standards.

I mostly avoid saying that the archive's contents should be licensed 
as freely usable for any purpose, freely studyable(?) and adaptable to 
your needs, freely redistributable and freely distributable when 
modified, because I suspect this group may be divided on that, like 
some other free software groups.

Comments and improvements welcome!


Dear ___,

We write to express support for the concept of a BBC Creative Archive. 
We have the following concerns relating to its implementation.

#include <aboutaffs>

From its unique funding and heritage, the BBC is in a position to 
demonstrate the social and cutural benefits of combining simple 
technology with a rich collection of historical, educational and 
cultural material.

However, recent comments by the BBC about non-commercial use have 
caused concern that some licence fee-payers will have to pay a second 
time for access to this material. We hope that enforcement of usage 
restrictions will not be achieved through restrictive digital rights 
technology or proprietary platforms.

In order to achieve the full potential social and cultural benefits, 
the archive must be based on open standards which can be implemented 
by free software developers.

The BBC has supported such standards during its history. For example, 
the BBC is a member of the Digital Video Broadcasting project and 
widespread use of the DVB standards allows free software developers to 
produce set-top boxes. The BBC should be encouraged to continue its 
role in developing and supporting open standards, through making the 
creative archive available in open standard formats.

#include <signature>


--
MJR/slef
My Opinion Only and possibly not of any group I know.
http://www.ttllp.co.uk/ for creative copyleft computing
Help hack the EuroParl! http://mjr.towers.org.uk/proj/eurovote/