The backlash against public access to information, coupled with misinterpretations of the relationship between fair use and the First Amendment, not only threaten educators' ability to access information for educational purposes, but create roadblocks for the public's constitutionally supported right to participate in democratic dialogue. The…

The existing Copyright Act of 1976 makes it virtually impossible for distance educators to transmit audio-visual or non-dramatic, literary works to students through any medium which may be received by the general public. It is a law that perhaps unintentionally discriminates against distance learning students. Certain revisions of the law are…

The electronic environment is currently forcing educators at all levels to revisit issues concerning intellectual property. Quick availability of information and data through the Internet has changed the way the general public views information since it seems to be in endless supply from any computer on any individual desktop. This paper presents…