About the Collection
In 1967 and 1969, CBS donated certain pre-presidential and presidential film footage of John F. Kennedy to the John F. Kennedy Library Corporation (the predecessor of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation).
The CBS Collection consists of, but is not limited to, all of President Kennedy's domestic press conferences, major Presidential addresses, his Inaugural Address, the four televised presidential debates with Vice President Richard Nixon, proceedings from the 1956, 1960, and 1964 Democratic National Conventions, and other footage of news events before and during the Kennedy presidency.
CBS deeded licensing rights in perpetuity to the John F. Kennedy Library Corporation.
The John F. Kennedy Library Corporation changed its name to the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation in 1984. The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation is a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization that provides financial support, staffing, and creative resources for the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.
All proceeds from the licensing of the CBS film footage directly benefit the work and programs of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.
Licensing Policy and Procedure
The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation licenses the CBS film footage donated to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library for commercial and professional use only, including broadcast, multimedia, feature films, government, and educational.
The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation does not sell, license or provide film footage for personal use.
Individuals seeking to obtain licensing rights to use film footage in the CBS Collection must submit a written request to the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation.
Individuals granted permission to use the film footage, will be required to sign a License Agreement and pay a licensing fee to the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation.
All requests to use the film footage in advertising or product promotion will be denied.
License fees for all educational, government, museum, and CBS affiliate requests may be waived.
The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation reserves the right to not license any material at its sole discretion.
Procedures and Rates
A non-negotiable license fee of $1,000 per minute will be assessed for all film footage requests. This license is for all media, worldwide, in perpetuity. A license fee of $1,000 per minute will be assessed for each additional minute or fraction thereof.
An on-screen, visual credit must appear at the end of the production. The specific credit required is: "John F. Kennedy Library Foundation."
To request specific film footage please contact:
Audiovisual Archives
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
Columbia Point
Boston, MA 02125
617-514-1622
Fax: 617-514-1615
Individuals may either make an appointment to view CBS film footage at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston (recommended) or request the Audiovisual Archives to provide a screener from which they can decide what, if any, film footage they wish to license. All screeners will contain the following statement: "Copyright: John F. Kennedy Library Foundation."
The Audiovisual Archives of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, a part of the federal government’s National Archives and Records Administration, is required to charge for reproduction and shipping and handling costs incurred with each request.
Once a determination has been made as to the exact film footage being requested, a completed Licensing Request Form must be submitted to:
CBS Film Footage Licensing
John F. Kennedy Library Foundation
Columbia Point
Boston, MA 02125
Fax: 617-514-157