Prelinger Archives FAQ: Licensing, Access, Collections

IF YOU NEED ARCHIVAL OR STOCK FOOTAGE, PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE PAGE BEFORE CONTACTING US.

-- You can download digital files from the Prelinger Collection at Internet Archive. Most of these files are yours to use without cost or restriction. Many of the files are available under a Creative Commons Public Domain License. We do not provide written license agreements or make any other representations or warranties other than the Creative Commons License. If a film does not carry a Creative Commons license, you may wish to search for other occurrences of the same film at Internet Archives that do carry the license. If after searching you do not find a version with a Creative Commons license and still wish to reuse the film, you may contact us for information.

We are not able to provide physical materials for free (e.g., film, videotape, DVD, hard disks, flash drives).

Please note: While Creative Commons has "retired" the Public Domain dedication and no longer recommends its use, it does not expire, and our dedication of materials to the public domain still stands.

-- You can license stock footage through Getty Images. Getty Images also furnishes written license agreements and physical materials. Getty Images will charge a few for these services.

The rest of this FAQ gives more detail about these two ways to access our collection. Please read this entire page before contacting us with questions.

2. How do I license stock footage and get a written license agreement?

Archival and stock footage from Prelinger Archives is licensed only through our exclusive representative, Getty Images. They offer rapid access to all available material. They can research the collection for specific topics and deliver highest-quality material very quickly in all formats. They warrant that footage is clear for your use and supply written license agreements. They charge license fees for use of footage and require that the physical materials they lend be returned when your production is finished.

If you are in need of stock footage, please contact Getty as follows:

Getty Images
Getty Images has offices worldwide. Please see their website for contact information. filmsales@gettyimages.com

3. How can I get access to films or stock footage for free?

Most key items in our collection are also available for free viewing and downloading through the Internet Archive. This site hosts digital video files representing approximately 7,000 key films from the Prelinger collection. We anticipate that the films on this site will satisfy most research requests. The MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 files are high-quality but compressed, and thus lack some of the detail, resolution and fluidity of conventional broadcast-quality video. They are, however, excellent for research, screening, teaching and low-end production use. All of our online films are offered under the Creative Commons Public Domain License.

4. What are the characteristics of the online films at the Internet Archive?

Films from the Prelinger Collection hosted by the Internet Archive are available in a number of formats, including MPEG-2, MPEG-4, Ogg and h.264.

5. How can I get a written license agreement for Prelinger films? How can I get a written guarantee that material is free to use?

If you require a written license agreement, please contact Getty Images.

The Internet Archive does NOT furnish written license agreements nor make any warranties or representations as to the footage other than what may be stated on its website. In addition, please be aware that the Internet Archive hosts other collections besides Prelinger Archives on its site, and some of these collections may carry certain restrictions that differ from the Prelinger Archives. The Internet Archive does NOT furnish copies of these films on film, videotape, DVD, hard disks or other physical media.

6. Do I need further permission to use digital files of Prelinger Collection films?

Your use of the digital files you download is governed by the Creative Commons Public Domain License. No permission is needed to download or reuse data files bearing this license that you have downloaded from the Prelinger Collection at the Internet Archive. We warmly encourage you to download, view, and use the data files in any manner that you wish, although we ask that you not resell them as stock footage or charge anyone for the files that you have downloaded, as we wish them to remain free to all. You may download Creative Commons-licensed data files from the Prelinger Collection at the Internet Archive, incorporate them into your own production, and distribute, sell or license your own production in any way you please. If you require a written license agreement, however, please contact Getty Images.

Please be aware that public domain materials may occasionally incorporate copyrighted elements (such as music and images) that might not be free to use outside the context of the original film. We urge you to seek legal advice if you are in doubt regarding the materials you wish to use.

7. Can I get access to physical film materials in Prelinger Archives?

The Prelinger Archives film collection was acquired by the Library of Congress in August 2002. The Library is in the process of accessioning this collection and cannot currently fulfill any research requests. However, Prelinger Archives holds approximately 10,000 titles in video and digital formats, which are all available immediately through Getty Images. Many are also available through the Internet Archive (see above).

8. How can I get Internet Archive technical support?

If you need technical support regarding the Internet Archive, you may address questions and issues to Archive Support.

9. Do I need to credit Prelinger Archives or the Internet Archive when I use your material?

We would be delighted if you credit Prelinger Archives and the Internet Archive (www.archive.org/movies/prelinger.php) for films or footage that you use, but we do not require that you do so. We'd love to see what you've made using our footage if you are interested in sending us a copy (address here), but this is your choice.

PRELINGER ARCHIVES ACCESS POLICY
Prelinger Archives, a private corporation, is committed to providing public access to its collections, subject to time and staff limitations, availability, condition or preservation status of specific materials, and the impact of the requester's project upon the cultural and social landscape. We offer five primary access alternatives: