BBC inks new-media content rights pact

While the Hollywood writers' strike drags on, on the other side of the Atlantic the British Broadcasting Corporation has agreed to allow third-party content producers to retain rights to interactive and digital content created as part of the broadcaster's multi-platform initiative. The agreement, negotiated by independent production trade body Pact, will enable content makers more control over distribution of their work via mobile and online platforms--according to Pact, the deal is similar to Britain's existing TV Terms of Trade agreement, and will enable producers to shift from a cost-plus business model to an approach emphasizing intellectual property licensing. "It's a real step forward in that for the first time it recognizes that interactive producers can own the rights to the content and services they create, putting them on a par with television producers," said Pact interactive deputy chair Andrew Chitty in an interview with BrandRepublic.

For more on the BBC content deal:
- read this BrandRepublic article

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