Library Sales

By making contact with ABC Library Sales, a professional stock footage supplier, you gain instant access to stock footage and audio materials held by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, as well as to the world-famous collections of the National Geographic Digital Motion and AP Archive. There are also smaller specialist collections sourced from independent operators. A Natural History database is available online, visit http://www.abccontentsales.com/librarysales/databases

What can the ABC supply?

With 52 news bureaux across Australia, 13 international offices and more than 70 years of recording people, places and events, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has developed a library resource rich in its breadth and depth of coverage.

Critically-acclaimed and award-winning productions in the genres of news, current affairs, science, natural history, the arts, music and more form the extensive collection. The library is enhanced by stock footage from the National Geographic Digital Motion and Associated Press Archive (AP Archive), whose world famous collections are represented by the ABC for Australasia and South East Asia.

The ABC is a one-stop multi media shop, providing access to footage, sound effects and audio grabs. The ABC library is made up of four media types including:

Footage

As well as an enviable international collection, the ABC library houses a priceless record of Australia's social, sporting, cultural and political life from the 1950s to today. It also includes a comprehensive collection of natural history, scientific and Indigenous footage.

The ABC's collection of acquired, public domain, AP Archive and National Geographic Digital Motion compilations contains footage from every decade in the 20th century and beyond. The library is supplemented by selected other content collections from operators who are specialist recorders of their field.

Stills

With many of the magic moments in the history of radio and television captured on film, the stills collection is an invaluable record of people, places and events.

Audio

The ABC has maintained an extensive collection of speeches, interviews and commentaries, which describe the landmark events of the past 70 years.

Sound Effects

To create impact the ABC's sound effects collection delivers a large range, including squawks, grunts, crashes and screeches, to enhance any multi media production.

Represented Collections: National Geographic Digital Motion

National Geographic are world leaders in recording people, lifestyles and cultures, nature and wildlife, history and archaeology and of course adventure and exploration. The ABC holds a large selection of its material in Australia, as part of its representation for the South East Asia and Australasian regions.

Represented Collections: Associated Press Archive (AP Archive)

AP Archive has 87 news bureaux around the world and has been capturing people, places and events since 1900. Together with daily feeds of international news material the ABC also holds AP Archive's as well as Annual Review compiles dating back to the beginning of last century. The ABC can license the AP Archive collection for South East Asia and Australasia.

How much does it cost to license footage?

Factors impacting on licence fees include the medium licensed, licence period and the territory required. Obtain a copy of the ABC rate card.

Charges for research, transfers and stock also apply.

What are the steps to obtain footage?

Upon receipt of your brief we will undertake a preliminary search and tell you what suitable material is held. We will estimate supply costs and licence fees.

A researcher will be assigned to your project to locate suitable material, prepare preview materials and advise on copyright. You will select the required shots using the preview materials and then place your order, providing the in and out time code points and shot descriptions.

A licence agreement is faxed for signature and once returned the master material is despatched. You report on your final usage and supply us a copy of your production.

How does a licence agreement work?

Stock footage is licensed for use in a particular production, as agreed. The licence is granted for a specific media (eg) 'free to air television', a period (eg) 'five years' and a territory or territories (eg) Singapore.

Can I come into the ABC and do my own research?

Independent program makers and researchers can come to the ABC to use the research facilities in Sydney and Melbourne. You can access in-house databases and tape-viewing facilities and take away VHS dubs. There is a daily fee of $120 to cover facility costs plus our standard fees if you need specific research assistance from specialised ABC personnel. A Natural History database is available online, visit http://www.abccontentsales.com/librarysales/databases/

Can you explain copyright to me?

Copyright laws are many and varied. We recommend that you visit our links page for connection to comprehensive sites on the subject.

Which is the best contact point for my enquiry?

Contact our Sales Consultants based in the Sydney and Melbourne offices who can help you. Contact Us for further information. Please provide detailed information (and your contact information) to help us find the material you require.

How do I buy ABC programs or segments for private or domestic use?

Programs can be obtained from the ABC Shop for home viewing only.

However there are many programs broadcast on ABC TV that are not available in the ABC Shop or other retail outlets, but can be ordered upon request from Radio, TV and Online Sales, see http://abc.net.au/programsales. These videos are licensed with 'non-theatric' rights which permits viewing by non-paying Australian-based audiences and are used most frequently for educational and business purposes.

How do I buy ABC-sourced sound effects?

If you require sound effects contact the Melbourne-based Library Sales consultant to find out what is available and at what cost. Upon receipt of your selection we check copyright clearances, dub the material to your required production format and prepare a licence agreement.