The Smithsonian Institution’s video-on-demand deal with Showtime Networks Inc. is facing some opposition.
More than 200 filmmakers, historians and students signed a letter asking the Smithsonian to reveal details of the pact and to reverse a policy that could limit access its archives and experts, AP reported.
In its letter to Smithsonian secretary Lawrence M. Small, the group called the deal "anticompetitive" and argued that it would "discourage independent filmmakers from creating projects for other media outlets,” according to AP.
The Smithsonian has refused to provide financial details of the Showtime agreement, citing contract confidentiality, but the group cited the museum's federal charter in demanding more information, according to AP.
"The Smithsonian is not merely a business venture," said the letter, which was released by the Center for American Progress. “Closing off one of the most important collections of source materials and limiting access to staff will have a chilling effect on creativity, will create disincentives for digitization of the collections for access by all Americans and violates the mission and purpose of the Smithsonian Institution.”
Michael Moore, who created Fahrenheit 9/11, and Ken Burns, producer of documentaries Baseball and The Civil War, were among the filmmakers who signed the letter, according to AP.
"We honor our contracts," Smithsonian spokeswoman Linda St. Thomas told AP. "This is a signed contract."
