The rapid rise of AI use is creating some very serious legal and ethical issues such as bias, discrimination, inequity, privacy violations, and--as creators everywhere fear--theft of protected intellectual property. Because AI platforms "learn" by scraping training materials available online or what is provided to them through their…

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…

The events associated with the demise of a software firm (AXXESS, Inc.), which supplied a software package to higher education institutions are reviewed. Attention is directed to what was learned that might be of assistance to other colleges using or considering third party software. Some of the topics include: particular crises, legal…

Comments on court cases dealing with copyrighted materials of special interest to librarians highlight Williams and Wilkins case, Sony case dealing with videocopying, computer programs and databases, government and legal materials in public domain, musical works, and four factors of Section 107 (fair use) of 1976 Copyright Law. (109 references)…

Software piracy among college students is increasing, and the software publishing industry insists colleges are responsible for the activities of their computer nets' users. Colleges generally cooperate with publishers when their students are found infringing on copyrights. The Software Publishers Association is holding a University of Puget Sound…

Summarizes recent developments in copyright law, with a focus on their consequences for users in colleges, universities, and libraries. Highlights include the concept of fair use; library reproduction rights; recent court cases and legislation; and future copyright concerns, including fair use of computer software and electronic text, and license…