Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is backstage.bbc.co.uk for?
2. Why is the BBC 'doing' BBC Backstage?
3. What will the BBC do with my ideas/prototypes? Will the BBC make any claim over my work or 'steal' my idea?
4. Why would I want to list my idea or prototype on BBC Backstage?
5. Can I use these feeds for my own use?
6. Are there any restrictions on what I can do?
7. Can I also use feeds from other sources?
8. Who hosts the prototypes and ideas?
9. Can I make money from my prototype?
10. Where can I discuss ideas / prototypes with others?
11. How do I remove my idea or prototype?
12. Why is there only a selection of content available on BBC Backstage?
13. How do I get involved in BBC Backstage?
14. Why is BBC Backstage a beta?
15. What should I do if I have a complaint about BBC Backstage?
16. What are the legal points I need to know in plain English?
17. Can I use content scraped from bbc.co.uk in things I build?
1. Who is backstage.bbc.co.uk for?
backstage.bbc.co.uk is for individual developers and designers to build things using BBC content and anyone who has an idea for how to use BBC content in new ways. It is not for big corporates to play around with. backstage.bbc.co.uk is for non-commercial use by the little people.
2. Why is the BBC 'doing' backstage.bbc.co.uk?
backstage.bbc.co.uk is part of the BBC’s wider remit to "build public value" by sharing our content for others to use creatively. How do you "build public value"? One of the ways is through supporting innovation as the BBC Governors response to the Graf report of BBC online makes clear:
"The BBC will support social innovation by encouraging users’ efforts to build sites and projects that meet their needs and those of their communities ... The BBC will also be committed to using open standards that will enable users to find and repurpose BBC content in more flexible ways".
backstage.bbc.co.uk aims to promote innovation amongst the design and developer community: if people are able to do interesting, productive things with the content then we’d like to support them. Finally and as a useful by-product of the above, backstage.bbc.co.uk is an opportunity to identify talent in the online community.
3. What will the BBC do with my ideas/prototypes? Will the BBC make any claim over my work or 'steal' my idea?
When you submit your idea or prototype we will take a look at it, check it over to make sure it complies with the RSS licence and/or the API Licence and Terms of Use and, if it does, then we'll publish the url on the Backstage website, a description of what you've done and then we will notify you that your idea or prototype is published. If there is a problem then we'll get in touch with you.
You will own the copyright in any prototype you develop and send to the BBC for publication on the Backstage website. If we like it and want to use it other than in association with the Backstage website then we would have to come to an agreement with you first.
As a rule of thumb there is no copyright in an idea so it's wise to remember that backstage.bbc.co.uk is a public forum. Please don't submit any ideas you don't want other people to be able to use or build on. For more information on intellectual property rights including copyright a good place to start is wikipedia.
See the Backstage Terms of Use, the RSS Licence and/or the API Licence (as applicable) for a proper run down of the legal position.
4. Why would I want to list my idea/prototype on Backstage?
There’s no conspiracy, no uber-digerati with a Grand Plan. We want to share what you do with others. By sharing and discussing your ideas and prototypes with others it hopefully encourages learning and innovation. That is why one of the key things we ask is that you tell us if you make something using our content via backstage.bbc.co.uk.
5. Can I use these feeds for my own use?
Of course you can. What you can’t do is build something using the BBC’s content which aims to make money. See the Terms of Use for backstage.bbc.co.uk
6. Are there any restrictions in what I can do? (both technical and editorial)?
Technically, there are restrictions on your use of the content. For example, we will be managing the number of times you can query the BBC's servers when using one of the APIs.
Editorially, restrictions are limited to "inappropriate use" or placement of BBC content. This would include passing BBC content off as your own, removing any identifying BBC branding, editing or changing BBC content and juxtaposing illicit content (e.g. pornographic material, offensive language, or libellous or defamatory statements)with BBC content [text, images and audio/video content]. If you are not sure if what you are planning will contravene "acceptable use" ask the discussion list before you go public and we’ll tell you what we think. It’s common sense, really.
You may not scrape the site for content - you may only use the content feeds and APIs avialable via the site to participate in backstage.bbc.co.uk
We need you to be sensible in your use of the content because if you’re not it could threaten your future use of BBC content on backstage and that of your peers - it’s yours so use it wisely!
7. Can I also use feeds from other sources?
Yes, please do. Feel free to 'remix' our stuff with other content to create new and interesting propositions that people will like.
8. Who hosts the prototypes and ideas?
You do. If you have no hosting have a look at some free hosting providers [The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites nor are we recommending any from these lists]. You submit your prototype or idea and we'll list it and link through to it.
9. Can I make money from my prototype?
backstage.bbc.co.uk only supports non-commercial use of BBC content. The Terms of Use for BBC Backstage are very clear about this. In submitting a prototype to backstage.bbc.co.uk you agree to the Terms of Use.
More specifically, you cannot charge people for being able to access BBC content through your proposition. That limits what you can do with a prototype using BBC content. So the short answer is no, you can’t make money out of your prototype if it uses BBC content. However, generic advertising such as adwords on your site where you are hosting your idea or prototype is fine, so long as it is not specifically related to your prototype, service, or idea.
However, you own the Intellectual Property rights in and to your application and nothing prevents you being able to sell or commercially licence your application and make money from it. What you can not do is sell access to any BBC content (i.e any commercial use of your application would have to be done without using any BBC Content).
10. Where can I discuss my ideas/prototypes with fellow developers?
The discussion list. Subscribe to the discussion list and you’ll be able to see what other people have said, post questions and reply to queries. Offsite is where the action is.
11. How do I remove my idea/prototype from backstage.bbc.co.uk?
If you wish to remove the link to your prototype from backstage.bbc.co.uk for whatever reason then please inform us at backstage (at) bbc (dot) co (dot) uk.
12.Why is there only a selection of BBC content on backstage.bbc.co.uk?
We only include content that we have permission to use. Much of the content within the BBC has rights issues that preclude it being available on backstage.bbc.co.uk at this time. We hope to make more content available under terms that'll allow its reuse via backstage.bbc.co.uk over the coming weeks and months - including a location API and a 'best links' search API. Backstage.bbc.co.uk is constantly growing, so check back often, join the mailing list and subscribe to the news RSS feed to receive updates.
13.How do I get involved in backstage.bbc.co.uk?
You join the email discussion list ;-)
See the page on how to get started.
14. Why is backstage.bbc.co.uk a beta?
It is in 'beta' because we are trialing the service. During the trial we will be responding to feedback from users and improving the proposition. Developer networks are a new thing to the BBC and as such we want to learn with 'real' live users over time. The best way to do this, we believe, is to launch as beta, so people (you!), can help pioneer the service and help us provide you with the tools, content and services you want. Whilst we're in beta the service will not be as slick, polished or complete as you might otherwise expect from the BBC.
During the beta trial we will also be finding more BBC rights cleared content and making a machine readable format of it for you to use.
It's also a fashion thing. Beta seems to be the new black. However, we will be keeping it as short as possible, not for us the trend toward neverending beta's.
15.What should I do if I have a complaint about backstage.bbc.co.uk
Firstly, please let us know if you have a complaint via email at backstage (dot) bbc (dot) co (dot) uk, as we want to know if there is something wrong with the service or if it something we can rectify. If your complaint is more general (eg "you don't think the BBC should be providing this service") then please go to the BBC's "Contacting Us" page where there are various options to feedback or complain via official channels.
16. What are the legal points I need to know in plain English?
Take a look at the BBC Backstage Terms of Use which include a basic summary of the legal position.
17. Can I use content scraped from bbc.co.uk in things I build?
No. It is against the BBC Terms of Use [point 3.] to scrape content from bbc.co.uk:
You may not copy, reproduce, republish, download, post, broadcast, transmit, make available to the public, or otherwise use bbc.co.uk content in any way except for your own personal, non-commercial use. You also agree not to adapt, alter or create a derivative work from any bbc.co.uk content except for your own personal, non-commercial use. Any other use of bbc.co.uk content requires the prior written permission of the BBC.
The above includes scraping the site.
