If it is still true that rights issues and copyrights are still preventing this amazing series from being released then it proves that the system is broken beyond repair. I've had the chance to see this series and it deserves a wider audience, not only because of how well it's made but because it's a showcase for silent film that is badly needed. Ask most people about the silents and they might think of Chaplin or Keaton, but most likely grainy, jerky monochrome film. Hollywood showed how well silent films were made and how many of the later ones are head and shoulders above the early talkies in production and entertainment values.
It also has interviews with people no longer with us and who deserve to have their stories and memories shared. I would happily pay to have this series on DVD but it's likely that corporate rights owners who don't know Lon Chaney from Douglas Fairbanks would rather receive nothing if they can't get the thousands per clip they think they deserve for doing nothing for movie history.