Permission fees

You need to pay a permission fee before re-using some images for a commercial purpose. You only need to pay a permission fee when your use is commercial and we have applied a licence that restricts commercial re-use or if we have noted that the content is subject to re-use restrictions.

See our 'Copyright' page for information on the copyright statements and licences we use.

Our fees are per image and per request, and exclude VAT, any reprographic charges — such as digital imaging — or any payments you may have to make to third party rights holders: for details, see the fees information for still images (PDF) (28 KB; 1 page).

How we calculate our fees

You normally need to pay a permission fee before re-using moving image and sound content.

We operate a more detailed pricing structure for re-use of moving image and sound material. This is due to the higher costs of content and rights management associated with moving images and sound and the greater complexity in the re-use requests that we receive. We do not have separate reprographic charges.

Our rate cards with fees for re-use of moving image and sound are as follows:

• Per-second rate card for moving image (PDF) (205 KB; 4 pages) for re-use of material in broadcasts, films, and other products. There is a minimum charge of 30 seconds for all categories on this rate card
• Exhibition and screening rate card for moving image (PDF) (115 KB; 2 pages) for showing moving image material to audiences
• Sound rate card (PDF) (178 KB; 4 pages) for re-use of sound and other audio services.

Permission fees quoted here do not include VAT or any payments you may have to make to third party rights holders.

For an expedited service an additional fee applies. This fee begins at £50 for up to 30 minutes of footage.

Solely for the purposes of re-using still image and other non-moving image materials held by the Library the following definitions normally apply. Where specified, different definitions may apply to certain materials:

• Commercial re-use means re-use that is intended for or directed towards commercial or business advantage or monetary compensation
• Non-commercial re-use means re-use that is not intended for or directed towards commercial or business advantage or monetary compensation and re-use that is of a small and/or limited commercial nature as specifically outlined on this page.

These definitions apply to everyone, irrespective of whether you are an individual or are requesting on behalf of a company, not-for-profit, or other organisation. The distinction between commercial and non-commercial relates to the particular re-use that is intended, not the identity of the requester.

The following are examples of re-uses that are considered commercial:

• Use in or for journals, books, websites, e-publications, apps, magazines, or other publications that are charged-for, advertising-supported, or intended for business or commercial promotion except as outlined on this page
• Use in or for exhibitions, shows, events, or similar that are charged-for, advertising-supported, or intended for business or commercial promotion except as outlined on this page
• Use in or for media or news reporting that is charged-for, advertising-supported, or intended for business or commercial promotion except as outlined on this page
• Use in or for films, DVDs, CDs, downloads, or other encodings that are charged-for, advertising-supported, or intended for business or commercial promotion except as outlined on this page
• Use in or for broadcasts or television shows (whether online or otherwise)
• Use in or for products, goods, or services that are charged-for, advertising-supported, or intended for business or commercial promotion
• Use in or for advertising, marketing, or promotional material.

The following are examples of re-uses that are considered non-commercial:

• Use in or for journals, books, websites, e-publications, magazines, or other publications, including those that are charged-for or advertising-supported, with a total print or production run of 500 or fewer copies (in all media) over five years
• Use in or for exhibitions, shows, events, or similar, including those that are charged-for or advertising-supported, with a projected or planned attendance or capacity of 500 or fewer people in one year
• Use in or for media or news reporting, other than broadcasts and television shows (whether online or otherwise), that is charged-for or advertising-supported with a total print or production run of 200 or fewer copies (in all media) per issue
• Use in or for classroom instruction, virtual learning environments, educational courses (whether in person or remote), educational projects, and theses.

Some discreet items and collections are not covered by these definitions, because of terms of ownership, deposit or contract that may restrict how we enable re-use, especially for 'commercial purposes' (interpreted widely).

In particular, a number of map collections are not covered by these definitions. These are listed on our maps website.

We will advise on a case-by-case basis when handling requests to re-use these excluded materials. However, in general any charged-for or broadly 'commercial' re-use of these items will be conditional on payment of permission fees.

Our direct costs are staff time required for the dissemination, preservation, and rights clearance of materials. Our indirect and overhead costs, which include building and management costs, are calculated in relation to our direct costs for permissions.

Our direct and indirect costs, therefore, relate only to permission activities and not to the Library's other functions:

• Staff costs + relative indirect and overhead costs + reasonable return on investment

Reprographic charges (PDF) (185 KB; 3 pages) are separate from permission fees for images, so are only payable when these costs are incurred through your request.

For example, you will not face reprographic charges if you already have access to the material in the form and format you require.

Our reprographic charges are calculated in relation to our direct and indirect and overhead costs. Our direct costs are the collection and reproduction of content, including material supplies. Our indirect and overhead costs, which include building and management costs, are calculated in relation to the direct costs of reprographic work. Our direct and indirect costs, therefore, relate only to reprographic activities and not to the Library's other functions:

• Staff and material costs + relative indirect and overhead costs + reasonable return on investment.

Our direct costs are staff time required for the dissemination, preservation, and rights clearance of materials as well as the attributable costs of:

• Master film storage
• Digital tape storage of surrogates
• Digital storage of access files.

Our indirect and overhead costs, which include building and management costs, are calculated in relation to our direct costs. Our direct and indirect costs, therefore, relate only to permission activities and not to the Library's other functions:

• Staff and material costs + relative indirect and overhead costs + reasonable return on investment.