In the United States and much of the world, the current framework of intellectual property laws revolves around protecting others from tampering with an author's work. The copyright holder decides who can use it, who can change it, and who can share. There is a growing school of thought, though, that holds that intellectual creations should be…

A significant movement in education concerns the use of open educational resources. By "open" it is generally meant that the resource is available at no cost to others for adaptation and reuse in different contexts. However, "open" is not a simple dichotomy; rather, there is a continuum of openness. We discuss four separate aspects of reuse and…

Faculty have a great deal of control over their lectures, lecture notes, and slides. This article discusses a coming wave of recording devices and other classroom technologies--this time wielded by the students--which will test this control and force serious conversations about how to best help students learn, what it means to own an idea, and…

This booklet has been prepared to familiarize the inventor, creator, or developer of a new computer software product or software invention with the basic legal issues involved in developing, protecting, and distributing the software in the United States. Basic types of software protection and related legal matters are discussed in detail,…

Discusses copyright laws applied to computer software for professors, students, and institutions. Concepts including infringement, contributory infringement, first sale doctrine, and licenses are considered. A sample university policy statement to avoid liability is presented. (YP)

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…

Reviews recent developments in three areas of law which, one way or the other, have an impact on information professionals: copyright, data protection, and liability. This discussion focuses on recent developments that are likely to be of significance to information professionals, including those emanating from the Commission of the European…

As schools increasingly take advantage of sophisticated technologies to enhance education, their need to understand basic copyright law becomes more urgent. This reference guide reviews the historical development of copyright, examines basic components, and analyzes exceptions to copyright owners' rights. Also covered are key areas such as…

This paper presents European perspectives on the future of copyright management. The first section is an overview of intellectual property rights in Europe, including differences between copyright countries and "droit d'auteur" countries. The second section addresses European Community legal policy, including examples related to the…

Issues of copyright policy and software licensure at Drexel University that were developed during the introduction of a new microcomputing program are discussed. Channels for software distribution include: individual purchase of externally-produced software, distribution of internally-developed software, institutional licensure, and "read…

Discusses legal issues involved in developing and distributing multimedia publications. Examines libel; rights of publicity; and such elements of copyright law as copyright protections and infringements, fair use and public domain policies, and use of ideas and factual materials. Uses a hypothetical multimedia project to illustrate the legal rules…

Many colleges have begun to respond to vendors' concerns about software use (and abuse). Many have written policies on computer access and unauthorized software duplication, and policies on illegal copying and unauthorized computer access. The EDUCOM Code seeks to promote self-regulation. (MLW)

This compendium focuses on intellectual property law, which includes copyrights, patents, and trademarks as well as applications of intellectual property in distance learning software, the Internet, and research data. It includes formal journal articles, policies, and outlines from the National Association of College and University Attorneys. Ten…

Discusses the issues of ethics, equity, and values in the use of computers in education. Conceptual foundations of computer software are described; responsibilities of the software author, marketer, and user are reviewed; and the conflicts between personal property rights and individual liberty are explored. (LRW)

The legal system of copyright may have worked in the era of print, but with electronic technology, society needs less encumbered and cheaper access to expressed ideas. Economic success will go to those nations that best succeed in promoting creativity without inhibiting the incorporation of expressed ideas into other products. (MLW)