KPFA Archives Pages explanation
A virus swept through the KPFA server during the first week in July, 2009. This virus managed to unlink all sound files from archive pages. If you go to any pre-2009 archive page on the KPFA site, you will be unable to open the sound files. Those files, which date back six years, are spread to a variety of areas on the server, so re-linking not just the Bookwaves pages but all other pages will take weeks or even months.
This issue is not to be confused with the larger issue of archives and copyrights. For the past few years, KPFA has simply archived all programs and had them available for listening and downloading. Not long ago, Sound Exchange, which issues legal rulings for some non-profits, stated that copyright did not cover music archives over two weeks old, and all older archives could not be accessed from radio station sites, though any private site could still access the files if they remain on the radio station server (and of course be subject to legal problems should they be caught).
Sound Exchange said that this would not affect talk programs. In early July 2009, John Crigler, the Pacifica legal counsel, stated that any program that used more than 59 seconds of copyrighted material (the copyright is owned by whoever has performance rights, as opposed to composer or performer) will be under the same heading. Thus, with few exceptions, no talk programs will be available via the KPFA site after the two-week archive period.
It's a mess, caused by ASCAP and BMI, who are trying to control the rights to hit songs. Most composers and performers, even if they do own the performance rights, haven't received any compensation for play on non-commercial stations because neither ASCAP or BMI bothers to track anyone who isn't a hit-maker.
Bookwaves Archive
The Bookwaves theme airs for under 59 seconds. In any event, theme composer/performer Matthew Montfort (of the group Ancient Future) has given his consent to use the theme for all archived materials. I've spoken with Michael Yoshida at KPFA, and at some point, all Bookwaves archives dating back to 2003 will be again available and accessible on the KPFA website, even though many other KPFA programs will not.
At this point, it's unclear how those archives will be available. The current download/play option on the site must be replaced by either download-only availability or by some kind of system whereby programs cannot be fast-forwarded in real time. This means, for instance, that one would have to listen to Cover to Cover before hearing the archive of Free Speech Radio News because archives are placed in one-hour segments.
After the on-line archives was created in 2003, Bookwaves was moved from 3:30 pm to 3 pm. I'm not sure about the dates, and will check.
How This Affects Bookwaves
Bookwaves web-only programs are currently mp3 files available via an ftp storage site I pay for out of pocket. Those programs remain available and of course will continue to be available. As will all Bookwaves programs from 2009 currently on the KPFA website.
Meanwhile --- As time permits, I'm going to upload to the Bookwaves ftp storage site as many pre-2009 programs as I can which are currently unavailable as web-only longer edits and re-set the links on the web pages. This will be done alphabetically, and the new archive links will only be available on the Alphabetical Archives page or on specific author pages with access via the Alphabetical Archvies page. When those programs are again available on the KPFA site, I'll re-link everything yet again in order to save space on the Bookwaves ftp storage site. It's a very large project.
If there are specific programs you would like to hear that are no longer available, please contact me at bookwaves.com, and I'll be happy to upload that particular program and e-mail you when it's available.
Thanks for your patience,
Richard Wolinsky
