41. I keep reading/hearing about the LOC hoarding a bunch of unreleased OTR episodes. Is this true? How can I get them?
Description
This article is from the Old Time Radio FAQ, by Lou Genco webmaster@old-time.com with numerous contributions by others.
41. I keep reading/hearing about the LOC hoarding a bunch of unreleased OTR episodes. Is this true? How can I get them?
The Library of Congress (LOC) does indeed store copies of many
old-time radio shows. Any qualified person can access this material,
or even get copies. There are, however, some restrictions on its use.
Elizabeth McLeod (lizmcl@midcoast.com), who has done much research in
the area, gives us this information:
LOC material may be listened to at no charge at the Library's
Recorded Sound Reference Center by "qualified researchers"
working on a project intended for public distribution -- from a
full length book to an article for your local OTR newsletter.
You cannot, however, make copies of the material due to the
contractural and copyright restrictions which the Library is
required by law to observe. (While the LOC preserves and houses
the material, it doesn't own it.)
It is possible, though, to obtain copies of the material from
the LOC by going thru a process which is neither fast nor
inexpensive. But if you have the patience and are willing to
spend the money for material you can't get any other way, here
is what you do:
1. Locate the specific item in the LOC's SONIC database,
accessible from the Recorded Sound Reference Center Homepage,
http://lcweb.loc.gov/rr/record/
2. Make note of the LOC Call Number and description of the item
you need.
3. Phone, fax, or email the Recorded Sound Reference Center with
the items you are requesting -- contact information is available
on site. The Reference Librarian who handles these things is
Brian Cornell.
4. The Library staff will determine what legal permissions will
be required in order to copy the items you want, and will
contact you with the names and addresses of the people who must
be approached in order to get these clearances. If the item is
from the NBC Collection, you will need to clear rights with
their Intellectual Property Department in New York. Additional
clearances may be required if the program is under a separate
copyright.
5. You must write to the people specified and ask permission to
have a copy made. It's a good idea to specify why you need the
copy -- and don't just say "because Joe Blow is my favorite
radio comedian." If you don't have a professional-sounding
reason, make one up.
6. Wait to hear back from the Legal Entities. If you've written
to NBC Intellectual Property, you will get a letter back from
them in about four weeks. Two copies of a legal contract will be
enclosed, specifying what you may and may not do with the
recording. Sign both copies, and send one of them back to NBC.
7. NBC will advise the LOC that it has granted permission, and
in about three weeks you will get back a requisition form from
the Library's Phonoduplication Lab. You'll need to check it
over, sign where specified, and send one copy back to them with
your check for the lab fee -- which starts at $86 per hour, not
including the cost of tape stock. Then, fax the other copy of
the form, and a photocopy of your check to the lab, and they'll
begin processing your duplication request. (Yes, the fee is
outrageous -- but there are worse places to spend your money
than with the entity which has done more for the physical
preservation of broadcasting history than any other organization
in the United States....)
8. In about four weeks, FedEx will deliver your tape. Needless
to say, you may not make any commercial use of the
recording in whole or in part -- and you had to sign a contract
to that effect in order to get access to it. Commercial
permissions are a whole separate case.
Like I said, this is not for everyone -- but if you're working
on a serious project, it can be a valuable resource for getting
access to material that simply isn't available anywhere else and
which is unlikely ever to be released on the commercial market.
Elizabeth
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