One more point:
"The British Association of Picture Libraries and Agencies has backed
the National Portrait Gallery's stance."
We don't have an article on BAPLA, but we do have five references to
it (article on three of their members, one of the founding members,
and the current president). BAPLA is the UK trade association for the
picture library industry. Wikipedia is weak on its coverage of trade
associations, but if you want to get an idea of the range of picture
libraries and agencies in the UK, have a look at the BAPLA website:
http://www.bapla.org.uk/
"With over 380 member companies, we represent the vast majority of
commercial picture libraries and agencies in the UK."
"Companies range from small specialists to multinationals,
collectively managing in excess of 350 million images, within an
industry estimated to be worth over £500m per year in domestic revenue
alone."
Any chance of Wikimedia UK (the chapter) applying
for a membership of BAPLA? Or would they be considered
"insufficiently commercial"?
:-P
Yours,
Jussi-Ville Heiskanen