Reviews federal copyright laws protecting computer software and what school districts must do to be in compliance with the law. (PKP)

This digest presents a reprint of an article which addresses the issue of the rights of computer software owners to duplicate materials. A conservative approach to software copyright is taken which looks to how the law will likely be interpreted, rather than waiting for the definitive decision by a court. Three major issues involved with software…

The Copyright Act of 1976, particularly the guidelines on fair use, did much to clarify the ambiguity of the 1909 Copyright Act in relation to new electronic media. Although some specific guidelines for teachers were included, it should be noted that microcomputers and disk drives were not yet widely available in 1976. Because experts were divided…

This discussion of copyright protection for computer programs focuses on the "first sale doctrine" and "shrink wrap" licenses, copyright of databases, copyright ownership, and copyright notices. (EM)

Explains provisions of the Copyright Act of 1976, highlighting the fair use doctrine, which allows limited reproduction and use without copyright owners' permission under certain conditions. Fair use may be successfully invoked for reproducing protected materials for classroom use if each copy bears the copyright notice and the reproduction…

Because the computer industry's expansion has been much faster than has the development of laws protecting computer software and since the practice of software piracy seems to be alive and well, the issue of whether existing laws can provide effective protection for software needs further discussion. Three bodies of law have been used to protect…

Discussion of the effects of copyright on microcomputer software highlights the nature of copyright and situations in which the copying of copyrighted software may be permitted. Rights that a purchaser should insist upon when contracting for computer equipment are noted, i.e., right to test hardware and software prior to purchase. (EJS)

Compares the development of copyright in the United Kingdom and the United States in relation to writing, literary works and other forms of intellectual property, and computer programs to show how writing is a unifying principle for documents and computers. (68 references) (EAM)

Designed to provide guidance for librarians, this publication expresses the opinion of the legal counsel of the American Library Association (ALA) regarding library and classroom use of copyrighted videotapes and computer programs. A discussion of videotapes considers the impact of the Copyright Revision Act of 1976 on in-classroom use, in-library…

Focusing on issues surrounding the unauthorized copying of software, this pamphlet is particularly concerned with the illegality of such action and the necessity for educators to respect the intellectual work and property of others. Some relevant facts about unauthorized copying of software are followed by a statement of principle about…

This review of sections of copyright laws most relevant to media librarians covers requirements of authors, sole rights of copyright owners, fair use and other exceptions to sole rights, the Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) case, the Sony case, exempt public performances, and computer software. Twenty-nine references are provided.…

Intended to help librarians, library media specialists, administrators, and educators better understand the ramifications of the copyright law, Public Law 94-553, this document asks and answers some of the basic questions concerning compliance with the law. Topics covered include definition of the copyright law; scope of copyright protection;…

Discusses the copyright act in general; presents a discourse on three sections of the law especially significant to computer programs (fair use, first sale, and like rights in computer programs); and discusses copying to and from hard disks and library liability with regard to the law's three specific sections. (MBR)

Intended to aid members of the academic community who produce written material (this includes instructors and students) in conforming to the requirements of U.S. copyright law, this easy-to-understand guide presents a current overview of relevant sections of the Copyright Act. The guide is in question and answer format and discusses: the…

Provides guidelines intended to help teachers, librarians, and administrators recognize when they must obtain permission to copy, perform, or display a work. Reviews the exceptions to the copyright law and its application to photocopying, reproduction by libraries and archives, videotaping, live and transmitted performances, and computer programs.…