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Freelance producers are delighted with
this deal. For years complaints have circulated in the broadcasting
industry about proposals that have been submitted to a broadcaster,
turned down, and then some months later a remarkably similar programme
has been broadcast. (See evidence here
An unprecedented agreement on protection of copyright has been signed by all the main players in the broadcasting industry. Following months of talks between the Alliance for Protection of Copyright and all the major UK broadcasting organisations - the BBC, Channel 4, Channel 5 and the ITV Network Centre - on 1 April the new Code of Practice was signed.
The Code of Practice will apply to any professional person or company not employed by the broadcasting organisations who originates creative material and sends it to one of the broadcasters. It will also apply to any professional person or company who receives creative material from another party.
The Code defines creative material as a proposal which may include formats, treatments, scripts, outlines, development documents, tender submissions, storylines, artwork, and synopses. It is not intended to cover unformulated ideas.
It sets out procedures to be followed by those submitting and receiving creative material, and in particular places a responsibility on the receiver to log its receipt by reference to title, date, receiver's name and a brief indicative description of the nature of the material.
A disputes procedure allows the originator access to a proper complaints procedure and to be represented by a relevant official of their union or trade association.
In 1997 BECTU hosted a meeting on the issue and invited all interested organisations to discuss how a greater degree of protection could be achieved for those submitting properly developed programme ideas to the broadcasting organisations. The union was taken aback by the level of interest and the degree of support. This led to the formation of the Alliance for the Protection of Copyright.
Over two years discussions were held individually and then collectively with the broadcasters, culminating in the new Code of Practice. The APC had to recognise that while there are many complaints about copyright theft, not all of them are well-founded and that similar, if not identical, creative material is|[ submitted to broadcasters by different individuals. The broadcasters have had to recognise that their current systems of logging the receipt of material, and responding to individuals submitting it, must be seen to be treated in a fair and honest manner by both parties, and have accepted that currently this is not always the case.
BECTU General Secretary Roger Bolton commented: "I do not claim this will solve all problems relating to allegations of copyright theft. But it is a very important first step in dealing with a very unsatisfactory situation and I believe that everyone can benefit from it."
ENDS
Issued by BECTU head office, tel: 01714378506. Further information: John Sealey, chair of the APC, via BECTU head office.
Copies of the Code of Practice are available on request.
12th April 1999
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