Lizzie...or anyone else....

[panamag8or]

I've had the idea for a while now, to do an OTR show on the local NPR station. I started out there, so I might be able to get the station manager to go for it, especially in the time block following their big band show.

Where might I find some OTR programming that is legal for re-broadcast? The whole copyright issue is kind of murky, and most OTR is still under copyright.

I used to listen to a great OTR program when I was in Gainesville, and I'd like to do something similar here.

Also, any suggestions for a name for the show? "Theatre of The Mind" is taken by the Gainesville show, as well as a couple of internet-only shows, so that's out.

[melankomas]

apologies, i'll give you more info after my meeting, but (if you are unceratin about copyright) start by looking here:

http://www.copyright.cornell.edu/training/Hirtle_Public_Domain.htm

Ms. Lizzie will know more about everything in general, i daresay, but i'll try to find more information later today.

---

i'm told military rebroadcasts are fair game, sir.

[LizzieMaine]

Well, I don't want to get into the area of offering legal advice, since I'm no lawyer, but I'll have to agree with the statement that most OTR programming is under some kind of copyright -- and basically the best course is to assume that it is unless you have definitive proof that it isn't, or unless you have a specific license in writing for rebroadcasts from the owner of the rights.

The big issue with copyright and OTR is that there's several layers of potential trouble: the status of the sound recordings themselves, the status of the scripts, and the status of specific material within the programs such as musical selections. Clearing the rights to the script might not cover the rights to the sound recording, and vice versa -- and on top of that you'd still need to clear rights to the musical content.

A good resource explaining the status of pre-1972 sound recordings -- which includes all surviving OTR -- can be found here: http://www.pdinfo.com/record.htm

[Cousin Hepcat]

-- and on top of that you'd still need to clear rights to the musical content. If that's the only hanging point, you could replace music selections in question - there are a great number of vintage style bands not signed to major labels who you might get permission for use of original compositions in your program- I'd bet some would like the radio exposure.

http://www.gigmasters.com/jazz/

[DeeDub]

A good resource explaining the status of pre-1972 sound recordings -- which includes all surviving OTR -- can be found here: http://www.pdinfo.com/record.htm

You might also take a look at the Nolo Press book, The Public Domain: How to Find & Use Copywright-Free Writings, Music, Art & More.

I found it at the library; Amazon has it at http://www.amazon.com/Public-Domain-Copyright-free-Writings-Music/dp/1413304540/sr=8-2/qid=1167548299/ref=sr_1_2/103-9143448-0828603?ie=UTF8&s=books. It has easy to follow interpretations of copyright law, sources of royalty-free works, and checklists for identifying PD material and for clearing works still under copyright.

The Nolo Press website also has some useful information online (see http://www.nolo.com) (http://www.nolo.com).

[panamag8or]

I might just contact the people at WUFT and ask them how they do it. I'm sure that being a radio station, we should be able to obtain royalty-free OTR.