The UK Intellectual Property Office has started a consultation on certain copyright exemptions which “principally allow not-for-profit and charitable organisations, in certain specific circumstances, to play copyright sound recordings in public without being required to pay a licence fee for use of those sound recordings or the performances they contain”.

The Office of the Third Sector is encouraging charities to respond, with one option being to exempt only small charities from having to purchase licenses, or even repeal of the exemptions. OTS news item or go direct to http://www.ipo.gov.uk/consult-musiclicensing.htm.

Consultation runs to 31st October.

In response to numerous queries about artistic events for visually impaired people, BlindArt has set up a forum at http://forum.blindart.net as a ‘one stop shop’ on what is happening in the arts for sensory impaired people.

Museums, galleries and other arts organisations can register to provide information on events, share news and network.

(Disability Cultural Projects via Voluntary Arts England)

GuideStar UK, the online database of charities, over the next year is to test the feasibility of extending the facility to include Northern Ireland charities and launching a standalone GuideStar Northern Ireland. It will take into account the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland expected to launch later this year.

The feasibility of developing national GuideStar systems in another 5 European countries is also being investigated by GuideStar International, with funding from the European Commission - see http://www.guidestareurope.org.

The large historical image archive built up since the 1870s by Barnardo’s is to be made available in digital format.

Picture library TopFoto.co.uk will initially scan 150,000 images and selected material will be licensed to earn income for the charity.

http://www.digitalartsonline.co.uk/news/index.cfm?NewsID=9957

Skillset, the sector skills council for creative media, is running a Workforce Survey to help them target training programmes and initiatives. They are keen to get a good response from smaller and independent organisations.

Closing date 30th May. http://www.skillset.org/research/workforce_survey/article_6587_1.asp.

(Source: CMA)

A Power of Information Task Force has been established to build upon the recommendations of an independent study of digital communication and public information in the UK and improve engagement with citizens through social media.

A key goal is “to increase innovation and improve the way the government shares information so ordinary people can develop online services that benefit their community”. News release.

A Communications and Marketing Benchmark survey has been set up by CharityComms in response to demand for information about how the investment a voluntary organisation makes in communications compares to other similar organisations.

Those with less communications staff will be asked different (and simpler) questions than larger ones, but the online questionnaire does need some serious input. Results will be presented at a CharityComms seminar.

To take part, by 30th April, go to http://research.nfpsynergy.net/s/DOU3ZbZxNEQPT84

Charities with a turnover below £2 million are invited to apply to have a short, awareness-raising film made at a fraction of the usual cost.

This is the fourth series of Volunteer Films launched by Media Trust, and as well as a broadcast quality film, with guaranteed airtime on Community Channel, a DVD and internet version is supplied, for a total cost of £1,000.

Applications have to be in by 31st March, see http://www.mediatrust.org/latest-news for details or email volunteerfilms@mediatrust.org

‘E-campaigning ideas’ is a compilation of suggestions and case studies put together by Advocacy Online, covering engaging supporters, maintaining the interest of online communities, promoting online campaigns, and evaluating campaigns.

Download (pdf, 499kb) via http://advocacyonline.net/cms/cmsloader?bYxPYy&view=281,21,2804,0,-html.

The 100th (permanent) community radio station has gone on-air in the UK, with projects stretching from the Isles of Scilly to Orkney.

Read more on the variety of coverage and background in Ofcom news release, http://www.ofcom.org.uk/media/news/2008/03/nr_20080310.

‘Visualizing Information for Advocacy: An Introduction to Information Design’ has been recommended by Laura’s Notebook, a voluntary sector technology blog (http://laura.popokatea.co.uk). This useful guide is “aimed at helping organisations strengthen campaigns and projects through communicating vital information with greater impact”.

Go to TacticalTech at http://tacticaltech.org/infodesign for more and the download (a chunky 6.85MB pdf, A5 format).

A short book from the Voluntary Action Media Unit is for charities wanting to find out more about how the media works, ‘Clever Communications’ has a media directory and short personal takes from media and charity professionals on a range of communications topics.

Perhaps of most relevance to small national organisations and available at no charge - email your name and address to book@vamu.org.uk