Explains how the new federal copyright law seriously jeopardizes the important author/creator rights embodied in the doctrine of moral rights, shortens the duration of protection for unpublished works, and poses the threat of greatly expanding "legal infringement" under the fair use rule. (GW)

To examine the possible impact of the 1976 Copyright Act on the workings of copyright in the United States, this book outlines the historical development of the copyright scheme, looks at how the 1976 act deals with the doctrine of fair use, analyzes the nature and effect of the new act's exemptions from copyright, and explores ways in which…

The new copyright law specifically exempts some educational activities from infringement actions, but many educational uses of copyrighted works--particularly those resulting from modern technology--will continue to be judged on the basis of fair use. This comment focuses on what fair use means for educators. (Author/LBH)

A major problem area under the 1976 Copyright Act that needs clarification, if not revision, concerns the use of photocopied copyrighted materials in classrooms. (Author/MLF)

The issue of library photocopying of copyrighted materials is examined from a historical perspective and with reference to proposed legislative revisions including the establishment of a compulsory licensing for reproduction. The author proposes that publishers be awarded compensation from the federal government for granting educational use of…

The statutory scheme of the Copyright Act of 1976 Section 106 is reviewed, followed by an analysis of the impact of the new provisions on such library activities as lending, photocopying, offering secondary services, and operating library networks and consortia. (LBH)

The limited extent to which the new copyright act altered performers' rights is examined with emphasis on the broadened provisions that preempt the state law remedies available to performers. The arguments concerning revision of the present law to expand performers' rights are considered and it is argued that the case for greater protection is a…

Current developments in both the civil and criminal law as they relate to the hobby of film collecting are analyzed. The first-sale doctrine, court cases involving copyrights of films, and the role of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in confiscating films on behalf of the Film Security Office of the Motion Picture Association of America are…

The House Committee on the Judiciary reports favorably on a proposed amendment to a bill (H.R. 4412) to amend Title 17 of the U.S. Code relating to fair use of copyrighted works. The committee recommends passage of the bill to the effect that Section 107 of Title 17 be amended by adding at the end the following: "The fact that a work is…

This booklet is an attempt to provide librarians with a short summary of the arguments in favor of library photocopying, combined with a status report on how these arguments have fared in the courts and in the United States Congress. Following an analysis of the issues involved, the case of Williams and Wilkins v. the United States is discussed,…

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)…

With its sixth meeting, the National Commission on New Technological Uses of Copyrighted Works (CONTU) switched from substance to verbatim minutes. The first report, made by the president of the Computer and Business Equipment Manufacturers Association, dealt with the copyrightability or patentability of computer programs, protecting investments…

The National Commission on New Technological Uses of Copyrighted Works (CONTU) met on May 7, 1976, to hear reports on copyrights as they apply to computers and the information industry. The first spokesman was the president of Educational Communications (EDUCOM), a consortium of colleges and universities collaborating on the distribution and use…

Presentations at the June 9-10, 1976, meeting of the National Commission on New Technological Uses of Copyrighted Works (CONTU) concentrated on computer software protection. There were a panel discussion, a briefing from a General Services Administration spokesman, and a presentation by representatives of the educational community. The testimony…

Provisions and interpretations of federal copyright law directly relevant to photocopying for classroom or library reserve use and related issues are examined, along with a case study of use of scientific articles in a college classroom, approaches to the issue of multiple copying, and fair use. (MSE)