What is a widget?

A widget is a piece of computer code that can deliver information, or changes in information (such as the latest information about a BBC Radio Programme, links to listen to a BBC Radio programme in iPlayer or the latest pictures or video produced by a BBC Radio programme) direct to your computer screen, without changing the rest of the information around it.

There are several different types of widget, and lots of widgets to choose from. Some widgets can be added ('embedded') into your own web page – for instance on MySpace, Facebook, Bebo, iGoogle and so on.

We're making a range of BBC widgets for you to add to your own web pages right now.

What can you do with a widget?

Select the widget that you would like to have on your site and then use one of the icons* to add it to any of the websites listed. Or just copy the widget code and paste it to your own web page code – this will embed the widgets into your website.

* Sites that are covered by icons
AOL Bookmarks, Ask MyStuff, Backflip, BlackPlanet, BlinkList, Blogger, BlogMarks, delicious, Digg, Diggo, DropJack, Eons, Facebook, Faves, Freewebs, Friendster, Furl, Google Bookmarks, Hi5, Hoverspot, iGoogle, linkaGoGo, Live, Live Favourites, Live Spaces, Live Journal, Multiply, MyYahoo!, MySpace, MyYearbook, Netvibes, Netvouz, Newsvine, Orkut, Pageflakes, PerfSpot, Piczo, Propeller, Reddit, Segnalo, Simpy, Squidoo, Stumble Upon, Tagged, Technorati, Twitter, TypePad, Univision, Vox, Webwag, WordPress, Xanga, Yahoo! Bookmarks, Yahoo! Widgets

What are the terms and conditions of use for BBC widgets?

They're here.

My widget doesn't appear to load correctly onto MySpace

This is a known bug which we're working to resolve. Upon attempting to add the widget to the MySpace network using the in-widget Clearspring menu, a small information bar appears at the top of the menu that reports, "Error, please check for popup blocking software". In spite of this, the widget is successfully added to MySpace.

Why do we need your feedback?

Widgets are a new area for the BBC and we are keen to understand how our audience uses them. Because it is now easy to take BBC widgets and put it on other websites we are especially keen to know if you have found a BBC widget on a website where you believe it should not be.

Why is my widget showing a test card image?

Most BBC widgets will have a long life and will be regularly updated with new content so there is always something new to see. However from time to time some BBC widgets will stop being updated. They will then show the test card image. You are free then to delete the widget from your website.

Can I create my own widget?

Not at the moment. This is an area we're thinking about though, so watch this space.

Will widgets work on my phone?

Again, not at the moment, but this is a priority for us, so watch this space closely.

The BBC encourages you to embed its video and audio material on your website as long as you agree to a few terms (see below). Please note:

• This is for use on your personal website
• Use the supplied code and don't edit the video or audio
• The BBC can remove the content without notice
• The BBC makes this content available at your own risk
• Don't put this content on sites that contain illegal or offensive material
• Users accessing the video from outside the UK may see an error message
• The embedding of BBC content is not a BBC endorsement of your website

British Broadcasting Corporation ("BBC") Embedded Audio/Video
Standard Licence Terms

By embedding or downloading a BBC branded player, widget or other application ("BBC Application") and any BBC text, audio and / or video content displayed within the BBC Application ("BBC Content") on your website ("Site") you agree to the terms set out below.

1. Licence

1.1 Subject to these Standard Licence Terms the BBC grants you a non-exclusive licence to use the BBC Code to display on your Site the BBC Application and the BBC Content provided by and served by the BBC. You may not copy or re-publish any BBC Content files.

1.2 All rights including intellectual property rights in the BBC Content, the BBC Application and the BBC Code shall remain the property of the BBC.

1.3 This licence does not cover use of any BBC logo or other BBC trade mark.

2. Use of BBC Application

2.1 You may only embed the BBC Application on websites that are not excluded by the BBC. The categories of website are excluded are set out below.

Sites that:

• are intended for or targeted at children who are under 13
• discriminate against any specific social group or otherwise exploit vulnerable sections of society
• promote, encourage or facilitate violence
• promote, encourage or facilitate illegal activity
• promote, encourage or facilitate terrorism or other activities which risk national security
• where the presence of the BBC Application might be perceived as damaging the BBC's reputation for accuracy or impartiality
• are not open access
• promote the tobacco industry or the armaments industry (including gun clubs etc.)
• encourage hatred on grounds of race, religion, gender, disability, age or sexual orientation or promote encourage or facilitate anti-social behaviour
• otherwise bring the BBC into disrepute

2.2 Unless expressly permitted by the BBC in writing, the BBC Application and BBC Content is for personal non-commercial use only. The BBC Application may not be used for corporate or professional purposes (e.g. professional, commercial or marketing led blogs). Whilst you may use the BBC Application on an ad-enabled blog or website, you may not charge users to view the BBC Content or otherwise commercialise the BBC Content in any way.

2.3 You will not permit advertising to be displayed on the same screen as the BBC Application where there is a connection between the advertising and the BBC Content. If BBC Application constitutes the majority of the content on any page of the site, or where the page would not exist without the BBC Application, you shall ensure that no advertising is displayed on that page.

2.4 Whilst the BBC Content is free from advertising to UK users you agree that the BBC may in its sole discretion show advertisements with the BBC Content to users from outside the UK.

2.5 You may not edit, alter or add to the BBC Content in any way, nor combine the BBC Content with any other material. All BBC Content must be displayed in the BBC Application. You must enable and maintain all links from the BBC Application to the BBC website.

2.6 You may not directly or indirectly suggest any endorsement or approval by the BBC of your Site or any non-BBC entity, product or content or any views expressed within your Site.

2.7 You may not use the BBC Content in any way that could bring the BBC into disrepute or otherwise cause the BBC any loss.

2.8 You accept and agree that the BBC has sole editorial control over all BBC Content at all times and it may change or remove any BBC Content at its sole discretion. In particular you accept and agree that the BBC may restrict access to the BBC Content to users in the UK.

2.9 The BBC Application must be used as supplied by the BBC and shall not be changed, modified or reverse engineered in any way.

3. Warranties & Liability

3.1 You warrant that your Site fully complies with all applicable laws and regulations.

3.2 The BBC Application and the BBC Content is made available on an "as is" and "as available" basis and the BBC gives no warranty of any kind in relation to the BBC Application, the BBC Content or any content on the BBC website. To the maximum extent permitted by law the BBC excludes all implied and statutory warranties.

3.3 The BBC has taken reasonable care to ensure that the BBC Application and any related software code contains no errors, viruses or defects, however the BBC does not warrant that this is the case. You use the BBC Application at your own discretion and risk and you are advised to take all reasonable precautions to protect your computer from virus infection.

3.4 To the maximum extent permitted by law the BBC will not be liable for any loss or damage which you may suffer as a result of or connected to your use of the BBC Application or the BBC Content.

3.5 Each provision of this Clause 3 operates separately in itself and survives independently of the others.

4. Indemnity

4.1 In the event that a third party commences legal proceedings against the BBC as a result of your use of the BBC Application you agree to indemnify the BBC in respect of any and all damages, costs and expenses, including reasonable legal fees and litigation expenses, it suffers or incurs as a result of such action.

5. Termination

5.1 The BBC may restrict, suspend or terminate any or all BBC Content or your access to the BBC Application and BBC Content at any time at its sole discretion without liability.

5.2 Clauses 3, 4, 5 and 6 shall survive termination of this Agreement.

6. General

6.1 You may not transfer or sublicense any of your rights or obligations under the Standard Licence Terms to any third party.

6.2 This Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with the laws of England and subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts.

6.3 Any failure or delay by the BBC in exercising its rights under these Standard Licence Terms shall not be construed as a waiver of those rights.