Sound and Moving Image Copying Services

The Copying Services can provide copies of recordings held in the collections to users who are able to obtain the appropriate copyright clearance. This is a charged service and copies can be supplied on a range of up-to-date audio formats. Please ensure you have read through all the information below before submitting an application.

Copyright

Applicants must obtain permission from the copyright holder(s) before a request for a sound recording can be made. Applications received by the Copying Services without clearance for the following permissions will not be processed.

A. Copyright in sound recordings

All recordings which are less than 50 years old are in copyright. Where the sound recording is still in copyright applicants will need to obtain written permission from the copyright owner. Under the law the Library can make a copy of a sound recording if it is related to its use in an examination, or under 'fair dealing' if, for example, the sound/performance right has expired and the only remaining in-copyright work is literary or dramatic.

If the BBC are the known rights holder, please contact the BBC Motion Gallery.

B. Copyright in literary, dramatic and musical works

Literary, dramatic and musical works are in copyright until 70 years after the death of the author(s). If the work on the recording you require is in copyright, you will need to obtain written permission from the copyright holder(s) before the copy can be made unless covered by a limitation or exception in copyright law e.g. done in the course of answering or setting questions in an examination, or fair dealing if the sound recording or underlying performance is no longer in copyright.

If you do not know the copyright status of a musical work, MCPS/PRS may be able to help. For literary and dramatic works, please contact the relevant publisher or use the contact details listed on the WATCH file.

C. Copyright in performances

Rights in performances last until 50 years from the end of the calendar year in which they were recorded or, where the recording has been published during that period for the first time, 50 years from the end of the calendar year in which it was released. Permission will be required from all performers whose work falls in the above category. In the case of commercially published recordings the record company may be able to assist. In other cases permissions should be obtained direct from the individual performer(s) or organisation.

Permission letter

An acceptable permission will take the form of a signed letter from the individual/company/organisation representing the owner of the copyright or the rights holder, allowing the British Library to make a copy of the recording on your behalf. The letter must include a statement that the signatory is the owner or authorised representative of the owner of the rights as listed and that they are authorised to execute the letter of permission. Where required by copyright law, separate permission(s) must be provided in relation to the copyright in the sound recording, the copyright in the work(s), and the rights in the performance(s) concerned.

Please note the British Library is unable to involve itself directly in discussions between copyright holders and potential customers.

Request a recording

For copies of wildlife recordings please use the Wildlife Copying Service.

Orders are subject to a limit of six items (no repeat orders) unless a specific commercial, educational or research project has been named and agreed in advance.

An application form must be submitted listing the sound recordings you require. The PDF form should be downloaded (see link below) and returned to us by mail, fax or as a scanned document. A copy of the form can also be supplied to customers by post if necessary.

It is possible to search for recordings held in the Sound Archive's collection by using the online catalogue. This includes information on three million published and unpublished recordings. You can search for artists, composers, musical works, interviews, recordings of plays and poetry, wildlife sounds, oral history, sound effects, record companies and radio broadcasts. After selecting the recording(s) you would like to have copied, please note the reference call number. The Sound Archive reference call numbers are listed at the top of each entry in brief display (see image below) and under HOLDINGS or LIST RECORDINGS in full display (see image below). This will help us deal with your request more quickly.

Sound Archive catalogue entries with a call number highlighted

How to identify the Sound Archive reference call number

Enlarge

We can provide estimates of the likely cost of making a copy before submission of a completed form and in any event will advise of the cost before the copying work is started. Sound restoration can be undertaken on request. Further details about sound restoration techniques can be obtained from the Copying Services.

In placing an order for a copy to be made, you will need to state your proposed use of the material. Please note that use of copies from our collections for commercial publication or public dissemination of any kind is subject to the British Library's written permission and may involve further charges.