of the likely implications for other preservation programmes and for other stakeholders.

5.2.4 Deciding what to keep

10. Selection decisions should be informed, consistent and accountable.
11. A decision to preserve can be made subject to later review; a decision not to preserve is
usually final.

5.2.5 Working with producers

12. Currently, preservation efforts have to work against the prevailing trend of digital
technology and how it is developed and used.
13. Digital materials are very often created without long-term preservation intentions in mind.
14. Working with producers to influence the standards and practices they use, and to increase
their awareness of preservation needs, are important investments.

5.2.6 Rights
15. Preservation programmes must clarify their legal right to collect, copy, name, modify,
preserve and provide access to the digital materials for which they take responsibility.

5.2.7 Control
16. Digital heritage materials must be moved to a safe place where they can be controlled,
protected and managed for preservation.
17. Digital heritage materials must be uniquely identified, and described using appropriate
metadata for resource discovery, management and preservation.
18. Taking the right action later depends on adequate documentation. It is easier to document
the characteristics of digital resources close to their source than it is to build that
documentation later.
19. Preservation programmes should use standardised metadata schemas as they become
available, for interoperability between programmes.
20. The links between digital objects and their metadata must be securely maintained, and the
metadata must be preserved.

5.2.8 Authenticity and data protection

21. Authenticity is a critical issue where digital objects are used as evidence. It may also be
important for other kinds of digital heritage.
22. Data that underlies digital objects must be safely stored and managed if there is to be any
chance of re-presenting authentic objects to users.
23. Digital preservation programmes are subjected to increased authenticity concerns because
they so frequently have to use processes that involve change.
24. Authenticity is best protected by measures that ensure the integrity of data is not
compromised, and by documentation that maintains the clear identity of the material.

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