AP News Registry Frequently Asked Questions      

Q: Why build a news registry?

A: Original news content such as that produced by AP and its members increasingly is being used across the Web without appropriate permission or compensation, and the problem is rapidly spreading to other digital applications. A content registry is a fundamental and powerful means to protect valuable and costly news content to assure that news organizations like AP can continue to support original journalism. The Associated Press, for example, spends hundreds of millions of dollars every year gathering and reporting the news, from bureaus in 243 locations around the world.

The news media perform a critical function in society, protecting the public’s right to know by enforcing freedom of information laws, sending reporters to cover conflicts and wars, and reporting on everything from natural disasters, government agencies and more.  Original journalism has significant costs—both financial and human. Safeguarding investments to gather and share news is critical to a democratic society.

Q: What will the news registry do?

A: The news registry authorized by the AP Board of Directors will create a system that registers key identifying information about every piece of content AP distributes as well as the terms of use for that content, and employs a built-in beacon to notify AP about how that content is used online. The registry will enable third parties and customers to find and use content through new digital platforms, devices and services, while assuring AP that its content will be protected against unauthorized use.

Q: How does the news registry differ from what AP announced at its annual meeting in April?

A: In April, the Associated Press Board of Directors announced that AP would lead an initiative to protect the industry’s content against unauthorized use. The news registry announced this week is a foundational piece of that initiative. 

Q: How would the news registry work?

A: The initial focus of the news registry will be to encapsulate all AP content in an informational “wrapper.” The content within the wrapper – an open source microformat called “hNews” that AP developed – would be tagged with critical information about the story, such as who wrote it, the headline and the usage rights associated with it. In addition, a tracking device will be contained in the wrapper that follows usage of the content.

Q: How does the AP news registry differ from other similar efforts across the industry?

A: From the outset, the registry is being designed with a built-in rights framework that will provide AP and other content owners with tools that allow news organizations to grant and monitor specific usage rights associated with each piece of content.  Accordingly, it is complementary to other industry efforts, some of which are directed at protecting content on the Internet, others of which are directed to user interaction and/or other monetization opportunities.

Q: Why build a news registry? Why not just put up a pay wall system?

A: A pay wall system has certain advantages.  However, a pay wall doesn’t enable publishers to pursue strategies for broader digital distribution.  Moreover, many publishers would like to distribute their content on open platforms, provided they can easily set and monitor how their content is used.

Because a news registry gives publishers the means to track and protect all content, it can serve both models, by enabling opportunities both outside of and behind pay wall environments.  Indeed, a registry enables a multitude of business opportunities and services, from supplying usage metrics, to enabling a range of models for paid content.  In fact, it would provide a range of options and flexibility that should make different pay models more effective than a single exclusive option.

Q: What members or other content providers/owners will participate in the news registry?

A: Initially, the registry will cover all AP text content. Starting early next year, it will expand to accept text content from interested AP members. It also will extend to cover photos and video in a phased manner.

Q: How will the news registry support members’ revenue objectives?

A: The registry will give publishers greater control of their content, and more precise metrics on which to base business decisions. It will support a range of new business models and payment systems, including new advertising models and content pay walls. Ultimately, the registry will allow the delivery of content that is more meaningful to the end user through a variety of digital platforms and devices.

Q: Can AP build and support the news registry?

A: The Associated Press has a long and successful legacy of technological and industry innovation, from the use of the telegraph to speed distribution of news to the invention of PhotoStream, the all-digital photo network that allowed photographs to be delivered in seconds. In recent years, AP has been an industry leader in the field of content enrichment, which serves as a foundation for Web applications and opportunities. AP has also demonstrated expertise and competence in collecting, managing and distributing content, including e-commerce, such as with the new AP Images platform. In building the registry, AP will look to leverage in-house capabilities efficiently, but also tap into external competencies for maximum effectiveness.

Q: Where does AP stand on its earlier announcement to create “search pages” to serve as authoritative sources of news?

A:  The news registry will enable a range of opportunities and possibilities for content organization, as well as an improved search experience for the end user. One possibility supported by the news registry is to require links to search optimized news pages that guide users to timely, authoritative coverage. AP continues to research the concept.

Q: Is this aimed at Google? At bloggers? 

A: The creation of a registry is not aimed at any company or Web site. It is intended to give news organizations, which fund important newsgathering, tools to address the opportunities and the challenges brought forth by constantly-evolving digital platforms and devices.