Spór o status archiwów audiowizualnych telewizji publicznej w Polsce
Dispute over the status of audiovisual archival materials of the public television in Poland

Summary/Abstract: The issue presented in the title of this paper, which continues to raise interpretational controversies, needs to be analyzed from the point of view of different regulations binding over a given period of time. In 1987, a separate unit – the State Organizational Unit “Polish Radio and Television” – was established as part of the Radio and Television Committee. In these circumstances the State Treasury was deemed to be the holder of rights and responsibilities in legal relations. As the State Organizational Unit “Polish Radio and Television” did not enjoy the status of separate legal entity,the assets generated by this unit, namely physical property and the products subjected to copyrights, were the property of the State Treasury whereas the Unit was only their manager. In the case in question, the property concerned, including physical carriers of audiovisual productions as well as copyrights and related rights to such productions, became the property of the State Treasury. The assets of the liquidated Unit were distributed in two separate ways – one applied to the land, buildings and other devices and premises located on the property of the State Treasury and managed by the Polish Radio and Television on the day the relevant law came into force; and the other – to the remaining assets. By virtue of legal regulations, the former became the subject of perpetual usufruct of newly established companies. In conformity with Art. 65, section 1 of the media act, the Minister of Finance was obliged to transfer the assets remaining after the liquidation of the State Organizational Unit “Polish Radio and Television” to these companies. When the Polish Television company (TVP S.A.)was emerging, the assets of the liquidated unit were neither fully listed nor appraised,which resulted in the dispute over the status of audiovisual archival materials of the public television. This is one of the issues addressed in this paper.

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