EPE blames BBC!

This message is being sent out in response to all who e-mailed Graceland/EPE regarding our not licensing Elvis footage to the BBC's "Top of the Pops" program for the show's feature on Elvis's new #1 UK single "Jailhouse Rock."

EPE has had to turn down all footage requests from the BBC since 2002, when an as yet unresolved dispute between the two companies arose. EPE had licensed footage to the BBC for one of their programs and then they re-used that material for other programming despite the fact that the usage agreement specified that re-use was prohibited without separate, specific permission from EPE. The BBC has been mostly unresponsive about the matter, which EPE has been proactive in trying to resolve. Unfortunately, the special opportunity with "Top of the Pops" had to be turned down, as with all BBC footage requests while the infringement issue remains unsettled.

It does appear that the high-profile nature of this most recent EPE turndown of a BBC footage request has caught the attention of BBC staff higher up than those EPE has been in communication with about the infringement matter. We hope resolution of the issue will come swiftly, hopefully before this week's edition of "Top of the Pops" when "One Night," Elvis's latest #1 single in the UK should be featured.

We are as disappointed as the Elvis fans are about not having Elvis properly represented on the "Top of the Pops" program during the current and exciting wave of success his legacy is enjoying with BMG's great Elvis UK #1 singles reissue promotion. The BBC is to blame, yet EPE is getting bashed for it.

(News, Source: EPE)