At  8/4/2008 02:06 PM, Tom Fine wrote:
>Why is the BBC so particular about what audio is where for how long 
>on-line? They seem much more restrictive than NPR, for example. I 
>thought UK copyright laws were less draconian than US??? I can see 
>about being restrictive about music-off-records contemporary shows, 
>but what commercial value does the content of this program have?

I believe it has to do with broadcast rights and payments to 
performers and producers, rather than copyright. Presumedly, the Beeb 
would have to pay more for unlimited "play It Again" rights rather 
than the standard one-week availability.

Considering that the cost of production and distribution for BBC 
Radio (except for the World Service) comes out of domestic license 
fees on TV sets, I'm grateful that they offer such a wide variety of 
online programmes.

John Ross