Over the past few months PCJ Radio International has been contacted by a number of individuals concerning what is PCJ’s plans with the Radio Netherlands archive material that is now in our possession.
Hopefully this will answer some of the questions.
First question: Will PCJ create a website where the programs will be available for download?
Short answer is yes. Clips of various Radio Netherlands programs from 1947 to 1997 will be available.
Second question: Why will only clips be made available for download?
The answer to this is simple. Over the last year PCJ Radio International has been very active to remove youtube videos of Radio Netherlands material that is now our property. By having this material uploaded onto youtube the value of the archive diminishes.
The other reason is 8 months ago we had to bring action against an ebay seller who was selling a CD of Radio Netherlands material that is now the property of PCJ Radio International. We are well aware that if the archives are made available online there is a risk this will happen.
Third question: Will anyone be able to access the full archive of material?
Yes. The Nederlands Instituut voor Beeld en Geluid (Netherlands Institute for Sound & Vision) in Hilversum, Netherlands will be able to request material for their own research. Those who are doing research will also be able to access the material.
Fourth question: Will concerts, radio shows, and printed material be available for license by second parties?
If audio, visual or printed items will be used for commercial purposes, there will be a licensing fee. The fee will depend on the item.
Fifth question: What will happen if anyone publishes material from the archives without written consent or licensing from PCJ Radio International?
A cease and desist letter will be sent, and the individual or organization will have 14 days after a written warning to remove the copyrighted material. If after 14 days the material has still not been removed, PCJ Radio International will have no recourse but to take legal action.
Sixth question: Why is PCJ Radio International being so controlling of the material?
It has to do with cost. There is the cost of the shipping container, climate control room for the tapes, discs and films, and a full time staffer whose job it is to catalogue the tapes, discs and films. The most expensive cost is the digitizing of the films. Some of these films are 40 years old and need to be sent to a special lab for colour correction and to make any repairs necessary before they can be copied. Just to give you an example, the cost for one 25 minute film can be between 300 to 500 Euros, depending on the condition.
PCJ Radio International’s series From The Radio Netherlands Archives over the next few months will present some of the best programs from the collection.
For more information please contact PCJ Radio International at anytime: [email protected].
