Page "Tele-snaps" Paragraph 4

Once satisfied with his process, Cura wrote to the BBC on 11 September 1947 enclosing samples of his work and requesting permission to exploit the images commercially.

Cura's request caused considerable consternation in the BBC's legal department who were concerned about copyright.

Ultimately, the BBC concluded that a television image was not covered by existing copyright law and replied to Cura giving him permission to proceed but to “ only photograph the television image of individual artists who have instructed you to do so prior to their television appearance, and that you do not give or sell the photographs to anyone other than the artist in question ”.

Cura often ignored this restriction, however, frequently sending tele-snaps to artists on spec in the hope of attracting business from them.

Many of his clients were BBC programme makers who found his photographs useful records of their work.