0.5 Approaches to distribution of fee-free images: case studies  (Page 11/13)

Against this backdrop, the Smithsonian Photography Initiative (SPI) was established in 2001. Smithsonian Photographic Initiative: (External Link) . It serves as a central, web-based programming unit designed to stimulate dialogue about the cultural impact ofphotography with new and existing Smithsonian audiences. Organized as a series of integrated programs, the website Click! photography changes everything The Smithsonian Institution explains that “Click! photography changes everything” isa collection of essays and stories by experts who discuss how photography shapes our culture and our lives. [It explores]how photography changes Who We Are , What We Do , What We See , Where We Go , What We Want and What We Remember .” (External Link) . invites the public to consider ways in which photography enables people to see, experience,and interact with the world. Although the Search Images feature of the website presents a relatively small percentage of art, science, culture, and historyimages available in each of the Smithsonian’s units, it does present the only pan-institutional image cross-section. SPI does not provide sales or licensingservices; instead it redirects web visitors via links to the websites of the SI units, which each manage their own images and content. There is no consistentpolicy regarding licensing fees across the units of the Smithsonian Institution, and some work with third-party licensing agencies such as Corbis and ArtResource.

At the same time the Smithsonian Photography Initiative was launched, Smithsonian Images Smithsonian Images: (External Link)_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=content&contentpath=about.html . was created as a pilot web program with the goals of using credit cards for e-commerce and increasing visibility and access to its online digital images. Fees charged for non-commercial use were designated for recovery of distributioncosts rather than to generate profit for the Institution. From its inception, Smithsonian Images has permitted free download of digital images at a non-publication resolution for educational, scholarly and personal use under the terms of “fair use.”

Early in 2007, the Smithsonian Institution’s Digitization Steering Committee issued a report with recommendations about theresources and infrastructure needed to create, manage, provide access to, and use the Institution’s digital assets to effectively meet the needs of real andvirtual visitors. In April 2007, the Smithsonian met with Library of Congress staff to discuss technology infrastructure requirements to support digitizationand various procedural considerations, including intellectual property rights. The Smithsonian Digital Media Use Committee was formed in July 2007 to create anew pan-institutional policy reflecting current technologies and SI’s commitment to providing broad access to digital assets in a manner consistent with itslegal and stewardship responsibilities.

Barriers to making images available free of charge

Although the Smithsonian Institution seeks to increase access for educational and research purposes, it cites the followingreasons for not making images available free of charge for scholarly publishing: