Perhaps the most common question that is asked about the Fringe Performance Archive is ‘Why can’t people just see our show after this year’s Fringe is over?’
An incredible array of shows are filmed, by novices, seasoned professionals, and everything in between. Many performances go on tour after the Fringe. Some are still in the process of evolving. Particularly in the case of genres where the material itself is viewed as at risk of being used by others, it would be unwise to make this available immediately.
For this reason, the Performance Archive does not make the material available to the National Library of Scotland for a period of several years, considering the wishes of the performers and copyright holders to be paramount. The 2012 National Library of Scotland Act then governs access to the show. Access is tiered, expanding for onsite research and educational purposes, then accessible to the general public. Following the cataloging process, there is a five year complete moratorium (no viewing):
Followed by five years of onsite access only
Followed by ten years of onsite and remote access for education only
Followed by implementation of Normal Practices of the Library (non-commercial and non-distributive access).