Current TV's new submission policy

Current TV, the new youth-oriented grassroots video cable network co-founded by Al Gore, just devised its submission policy. Here's the policy, as released tonight by Josh Wolf to other members of the San Francisco Current TV Meetup Group. Interesting stuff.

Current License FAQ

Okay, here goes: You upload your video to the Current website.
As part of the upload, you give us a three-month option on your
piece, which means that you agree to let us (and only us)
evaluate it for up to three months. If lots of people in our
online Screening Room (opening August 1) like it, there’s a
good chance we’ll exercise that option and buy the exclusive
rights to broadcast the piece.

If we do, we’ll pay you based on a graduated scale.

If we don’t, after the three months are up you can do whatever
you want with it.

What is this pay scale you speak of?

Here’s a handy table:

First piece: $250
Pieces 2 and 3: $500 each
Pieces 4 and 5: $750 each
Pieces 6+: $1000 each

Print THAT out and stick it on your fridge!

How’d you decide on those levels?

We looked at our budget, we listened to VCC contributors, and
we used a little bit of guesswork, too. We like these levels
because they’re simple and straightforward, and they encourage
continuous contribution, not just one-off work.

If you’re a professional video producer, the first tiers of the
pay scale will seem low. But we wanted to accommodate novices
and veterans—and if you really do make great stuff, you’ll move
up the levels quickly.

Are there length requirements to qualify for that scale?

There are not! Submissions in the 3-5 minute range have
generally had the most success here, but we’ve licensed some
great 20-second pieces of video, too.

Can I upload my video to other sites, too?

No. We realize this part of the deal might seem burdensome. But
here’s the logic: We’re going to present your video in our
online Screening Room so people can vote and comment on it,
with the notion that if it’s popular or interesting, it might
be something we’d like to pay for and distribute as viewer-
created content.

If anybody else can swoop in and scoop up the good stuff, we’re
just providing a public service to other TV networks. Which
would be nice, but, you know, no thanks.

Jeez, I can’t even submit my video to a film festival?

Aha! SO glad you asked. We’re making a special exception here,
because we know festivals are such a good opportunity for
exposure and feedback. Just don’t sign any distribution deals
before checking with us first. Also note that online-only
festivals are still a no-go, but Sundance, SXSW, and others
like that are all perfectly fine.

How do I know you’re not just going to steal my awesome ideas?

When you upload, we only get an option to the actual video you’
re submitting—not the concepts behind it. You own those and we
can’t touch them. But really, if you think we are all about
copying people’s videos, we haven’t done a very good job
explaining who we are and what we’re about!

If you buy the rights to broadcast my video, will I still be
credited as its creator?

Absolutely! And we’re not talking about a little line of text
in the corner, either. The last thing we want to do is conceal
the origins of our viewer-created content. On the contrary: We
want to splash your name and your image all over your work. And
we plan to air interviews with prolific VCC producers on a
regular basis. We are all about full exposure and full props.

Why do you want rights in all media? Why not just TV?

Technology is moving fast. More and more TV is going to get
piped through the internet; more and more cell phones are going
to play video. For all those reasons, we want to distribute
your work—with your name and mug attached to it—anywhere video
can go.

If I submit a video, and you license and distribute it, and it
gets really popular, can I re-cut the raw footage and sell a
different version to other networks?

That’s quite a scheme you’ve got there. You can make a
different version, but before you offer it to other networks,
you have to offer it to us, and we have the option to buy it
for $1,500. If we pass, then you can do whatever you like with
it.

Clearly I will get releases from all the people in my video, and not use any commercial music. But are there any rights issues that might sneak up on me?

Beware of copyrighted images in the background; of people who
aren’t featured in your video, per se, but who are still
recognizable; and of ambient music. When you check the little
box that says you accept our terms, you’re saying that
everything in your video is legit and fully cleared. Think
before you check.

Hey! I’ve already uploaded a video! What happens to it?

Right now, nothing. It’s still in our system under the same
terms you agreed to when you uploaded. Sometime in July,
though, we’ll be sending you an email to ask you to opt in to
this new license. You’re free to decline, and if you do, we’ll
remove your video from our system.

Do you ever commission pieces?

Yes! We’ve already commissioned lots of excellent VCC producers
after being impressed by their Studio submissions. If you jump
in and your work rocks, you’ll definitely be in the running for
a VCC assignment.

Don’t you know who I am?? I can’t work under these conditions!

If for whatever reason you don’t like the sound of this system,
you can also pitch us the old-fashioned way. Be warned, though:
Just like at any other TV network, our acquisitions department
is small and swamped, and there’s no guarantee they’ll be able
to look at your stuff. That’s why we created the Current
Studio: to re-invent the way new content and new talent is
discovered--to make it faster, more efficient and more
transparent.