There has been word spread around the blogs that video from CNN’s upcoming televised debates will be made free to the web under the Creative Commons license. This is not true, at least according to their own release. CNN put out a release at the beginning of May, following the discussion over the web use of video from the MSNBC debates (sites could use up to 10 minutes from those debates). In it, CNN wrote: “CNN debate coverage will be made available without restrictions at the conclusion of each live debate.” This is absolutely to be lauded. But, bloggers note: there is nothing in this about being shared under the Creative Commons licenses. Nitpicking? Not really. CNN can still argue it retains full copyright in this case. The several different Creative Commons licenses would clarify exactly what you could and could not do with the video. There are Creative Commons licenses that would let you make money off a derivative work, for example. I doubt that’s what CNN has in mind here. If anyone has information that suggests otherwise, please let us know.
UPDATE: An industry source emailed LR with a memo CNN has sent around reminding stations and networks “As previously announced, CNN’s debate coverage will be made available upon the conclusion of the live telecast and may be used without restriction throughout the 2008 election cycle (emphasis added).” The emailer rightly wonders if this means everyone will have to take down their video after the election. Already this is different from the original memo which said “without restriction.”