The increasing presence of electronic materials, databases, and networks in society's institutions raises a number of new questions related to copyrighted and intellectual property in cyberspace environments (e.g., How will the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law and practice be extended to electronic situations?). Such questions have…

This final report includes legal, regulatory, and statutory recommendations based upon three years of data collection, hearings, and analysis of computer-related and photocopying issues. Two major computer-related issues are addressed--the creation of new works with computer assistance, and use of copyrighted works in conjunction with computers.…

Describes the operational activities of UNESCO to facilitate easy access of developing countries to works protected by copyright. Particular reference is made to collection of data, economic situation, formation of national copyright information centers, copyright data bank services, reprographic reproduction, preparation of model contracts,and…

Provides an overview of the legal nature of copyright, its history, and present status. Current issues of concern to information professionals are then discussed, including reproduction and distribution of copyrighted material, interlibrary loans, the "Five-Year Review" of the current law, technology, nonprint materials, and databases.…

Focusing on nonprint materials, this article includes a general overview of copyright and detailed analyses of particular problems relating to computer programs, databases, and electronic publishing. Unique copyright aspects for each of these formats are analyzed and explained. Ninety-four references are included. (EJS)

This report is a study of how consumer interests would be affected by changes in the copyright laws governing photocopy and computer-based information. It examines the natures of copyright protection and consumer interest and, after a discussion of the information market in general, weighs copyright/consumer interest in the areas of photocopying,…

Testimony on the copyrightability of computer software was heard at the 10th Commission meeting held at the New York Public Library in November 1976. This transcript of the meeting also includes reports of the Commission subcommittees on photocopying, software, networks, and data bases. (Author/AP)

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…

Considers the future of copyright in an electronic environment due to the ease with which materials can be copied. Discusses relevant legal cases; reproductive rights organizations; the role of contracts; databases; European Union initiatives; and conflict of laws. Concludes that increased owner-user cooperation is needed if copyright is to…

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)…

Computers, microfilm, cable television, satellite communications, photocopiers and other technical developments brought about general revision to U.S. Copyright Law, which was enacted in 1976 and became effective on January 1, 1978. The 17 articles in this issue of The Bookmark consider how the law has resolved the main problems: (1)…

Several presentations were made at the eighth meeting of the National Commission on New Technological Uses of Copyrighted Works (CONTU). The president of the Association for Computing Machinery addressed the issue of interactions of computer technology and economics, education, and society. A representative from the Center for Educational Media…

In a series of meetings held over a period of three days, the National Commission on New Technological Uses of Copyrighted Works (CONTU) heard presentations, arranged by the American Society for Information Science, on information systems in general and on the operations of specific systems. The first presentation covered information storage and…

At the fifth meeting of the National Commission on New Technological Uses of Copyrighted Works (CONTU) the Information Industries Association sponsored a presentation on copyright issues related to data bases, computer programs, and microform composition. Presentations were made by representatives of Standard and Poors, the New York Times, IBM,…

Napster, a program for sharing MP3 files, has transformed the way music files are shared over the Internet. In its heyday, anyone looking for free music just had to search Napster's database for the artists or songs they wanted and download them for free. Because of its operations, Napster was successfully sued for violation of copyright and has…