Copyright agreement extended

BBC Radio is now included in the agreement on the protection of copyright.

The Code of Practice for Submission of Programme Proposals agreement, signed by all the main UK players in television in April 1999, is now extended to include BBC Radio from 1 September 2001.

The Code has been agreed by the main UK broadcasters BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 with the Alliance for the Protection of Copyright (APC).

The Code was initiated by the APC - the umbrella organisation comprising of:

Following a review of its operation the Code has been judged successful in its implementation across UK television.

BECTU's John Sealey, who chairs the APC, said "The Code has led to greater understanding of the issues and has encouraged more formality in the submission of creative proposals to broadcasters and has provided a suitable framework for the consideration of any disputes of which there have been very few submitted to the broadcasters."

The provisions of the Code have now been agreed to include BBC Radio and has now been rewritten to widen it's scope.

The Code of Practice applies 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 also applies 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, artwork and synopses. The Code is not intended to cover unformulated ideas or ideas expressed solely verbally.

The dispute procedure allows the originator access to a proper compliants procedure and to be represented by the relevant official of their union or trade association.

3 September 2001