Following discussions with the BBC and Channel 4, the ERA Licensing Scheme recently confirmed that changes have been made in order to support access to some BBC and Channel 4 on-line services, for educational purposes.
According to the ERA website, the changes allow educational establishments holding a current ERA Licence to:
(a) record and access BBC Content in relevant BBC Online Services for educational purposes under the terms of an ERA Licence; and
(b) apply non-commercial educational use within the scope of the ERA Licence to access to 4oD Content within Channel 4 Online Services on the conditions that would otherwise be limited to personal, non-commercial use. Age of consent and viewer guidance terms continue to apply to any educational access.
It is important for institutions to note such changes particularly where they hold the ERA Licence in terms of what they can do with particular material. Further, they should also bear in mind the relevant terms and conditions linked to particular content and whether or not they can use it. Also s.35 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 could be considered by an educational establishment in terms of recording broadcasts.
More details on this news story is available from the ERA website.