This report gives an overview of the past and present domestic and international legal framework for database protection. It describes database industry practices in securing protection against unauthorized use and Copyright Office registration practices relating to databases. Finally, it discusses issues raised and concerns expressed in a series…

American copyright law provides a means of stimulating intellectual development and protecting the ownership interests of the authors of copyrighted works. Over the years, U.S. copyright law has evolved in order to respond to societal and technological changes. Under the copyright statute certain uses of a copyrighted work are permitted under the…

Analyzes potential changes in federal copyright law and the fair use doctrine in the digital age. Discusses three policy options for balancing the rights of copyright owners and users--maintaining the status quo; adopting the Information Infrastructure Copyright Act; and adopting proposed revisions of the Digital Future Coalition--using the…

This guide provides a concise overview of current copyright law and its interpretations, particularly for classroom educators, librarians, school media specialists, and their constituents. Building on the question-and-answer format introduced in the first edition, the second edition adds commentary on critical developments of the last eight years,…

Discusses the copyright implications of the practice in some academic libraries of converting reserve materials to electronic format to make more copies available to patrons. Issues considered include fair use, public display, remote availability, character of use, and substantiality of copying. (seven references/notes) (EA)

With the many changes in technology since the Copyright Act was passed, following that law has become increasingly complex. Educators need to understand the law, and how to apply it in various situations. This fastback addresses some of the key issues of copyright law with particular attention to new technologies. After a brief history of the…

Users and producers of copyrighted materials are working to determine "fair use" guidelines, like those established in 1976 for printed materials, music, radio, and television programs, to govern access to online documents. Debate is over the need for and feasibility of extending compensation regulations to electronic materials. (MSE)

This book provides librarians, researchers, and teachers with a comprehensive guide to technology and copyright issues, and is written for non-lawyers. Part 1 summarizes the historical and legal background and looks at future trends, including the probable effects of recommendations from the National Information Infrastructure report. Part 2…

The first article discusses issues relating to copyrights in America, including domestic and international organizations formed to protect copyrights, court litigation, international piracy, responsibility toward developing nations, and information technology. The second and third articles describe the Berne Convention for the Protection of…

These proceedings contain edited versions of 14 papers on government information and its relation to the library and information community that were presented at a state-of-the-art institute sponsored by the Special Library Association (SLA). Following a foreword by Steve Bell of ABC News and an introduction by David R. Bender of the SLA, papers…

This article begins with an introduction to recent developments in information technology, including investment activities related to the technology in Europe, Japan, and the United States. It then deals with the challenging issues of access to electronic information of the U.S. government, fee or free for electronic information in publicly…