Dear Sir or Madam,

I note that the NPG charges a fee to websites that use digital
images of works from the NPG collection. Please would you let me
know, for each of the past 5 years (either calendar or financial,
whichever is more convenient):

How many requests were made for use of NPG collection images on
third party websites.

How much income was received by the NPG in consideration of the use
of NPG collection images on third party websites.

The approximate cost to the NPG of administering the online rights
programme, including credit card transaction charges and other
related fees charged by the NPG's bankers.

The minutes of the relevant NPG meeting at which a decision was
made to charge for reproduction of NPG collection images on third
party websites.

Yours faithfully,

Etienne Pollard

This is the e-mail address for enquiries about portraits and the collections and history of the National Portrait Gallery (including requests made under the Freedom of Information Act). The Gallery aims to respond to portrait enquiries within 15 working days and to Freedom of Information requests within 20 working days.

If you would like to make an appointment to visit the Archive & Library please contact: [email address].

For other types of enquiries please refer to the Gallery's website for contact details.

Note: we are not able to respond to requests for information about foreign portraits and non-portrait subjects, and neither are we able to provide advice on valuations. For subjects unrelated to British portraiture please contact a general art reference library and for valuations please contact a fine art auction house or dealer.

Yours sincerely

Robin Francis
Head of Archive & Library

Dear Etienne Pollard

Thank you for your request for information made under the Freedom of Information Act. We will respond to this request within the next twenty working days, i.e. by Wednesday 22 April.

Yours sincerely

Robin Francis

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Dear Mr Pollard

I am writing in response to the request you made under the Freedom of Information Act in your email of 23 March 2009 for the following information:

1 The number of requests made for use of National Portrait Gallery collection images on third party websites in each of the past five years.

2008/9 235 licences granted

2007/8 413 licences granted

2006/7 295 licences granted

2005/6 est. 205 licences granted

2004/5 est. 305 licences granted

2. The income received by the National Portrait Gallery in consideration of the use of National Portrait Gallery collection images on third party websites in each of the past five years.

2008/9 £11,291

2007/8 £18,812

2006/7 £16,573

2005/6 £10,021

2004/5 £14,915

3. The approximate cost to the NPG of administering the online rights programme, including credit card transaction charges and other related fees charged by the National Portrait Gallery's bankers.

The Gallery has not calculated the cost of specifically administering the online rights programme exclusive of other Picture Library activities and therefore it does not hold the information you have requested.

4. The minutes of the relevant National Portrait Gallery meeting at which a decision was made to charge for reproduction of National Portrait Gallery collection images on third party websites.

Copyright management and image licensing decisions are delegated to the Head of Rights & Reproductions and therefore the Gallery does not hold the information you have requested.

Under the terms of the Act, I am required to inform you of our appeals procedure in case you are not satisfied with the above response. A copy of our public leaflet on Freedom of Information, which advises you how to appeal to the Gallery and of your right to appeal to the Information Commissioner, can be found on the Gallery website at: http://www.npg.org.uk/live/freedominfo.asp.

Yours sincerely

Robin Francis

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