This book is an attempt to express rudimentary "first principles" in the application of democratic values to some of the most pressing issues inherent in the advent of a new information society. Its purpose is not to advance any particular political slant, but rather, to incorporate a balance of democratic values--libertarian,…

Understanding the history of plagiarism may put scholars in a position to define plagiarism more precisely and to decide plagiarism disputes involving students and scholars more fairly. The origins of literary property are found in ritual and religious drama. In classical Greece and Rome, literary property began to hold some value for the author.…

This circular details the methods for investigating whether a work is under copyright protection, and, if so, the facts of the copyright. Both in-person searches at the Copyright Office and searches by the Copyright Office staff for a $10.00 per hour fee are detailed. The circular also explains the effect of the Copyright Act of 1976, which…

Computer software, which often takes years to produce, is currently being copied and used illegally in school settings. This violation of the law has many repercussions within the academic community. In this discussion, several court cases dealing with this situation are emphasized. It is also noted that the U.S. Office of Technology Assessment…

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…

Hundreds of researchers around the world are rushing to produce new ceramic materials that lose all resistance to electricity, causing a volume of publications that is pressing the limits of communication, causing innovation in the procedures of scientific publication, and creating concern about credit for discoveries. (MSE)

Ownership issues in the results of research generally and of human tissue research specifically are explored. While acknowledging some uncertainty in the law, it is found that human tissue may be lawfully accessed for research and that use of human tissue does not modify the general allocation of interests. (MSE)

Classifies students' responses to a plagiarism questionnaire into six categories. Concludes that students take plagiarism seriously and that their reasons are based most often on fairness, individual responsibility, and ownership. (JAD)

The text of the EDUCOM statement on software and intellectual rights that educators are being urged to adopt on campus is presented and discussed. (MSE)

This document is a synopsis of intellectual property issues for higher education unions. American academics, including faculty, professional staff, researchers and graduate student research assistants, have always been leaders in the creation of intellectual property. In many instances, that work product is protected by U.S. copyright and patent…

The Copyright Forum serves as a venue for the discussion of digital copyright issues of interest to Canadian educational institutions, libraries, archives, and museums. The Forum currently comprises 13 national associations. The members of the participating associations are both creators and users of digital intellectual content, and a number of…

In the United States, copyright owners retain exclusive rights to their creative works. They alone have the legal right to reproduce, distribute, publicly perform, or publicly display their works or to construct derivative works. The recently enacted Digital Millennium Copyright Act has created several complex questions related to distance…

Provides an overview of technology transfer issues and discusses ways in which trustees can help ensure that academic mission is balanced with valuable opportunities for taking campus research to the marketplace. (EV)

These two reports discuss federal legislation and regulations that affect libraries and the publishing industry. Topics include funding for federal library and related programs; ESEA (Elementary and Secondary Education Act) reauthorization; E-rate; the USA Patriot Act and other actions after the September terrorist attacks; intellectual property;…

Addresses the impact of Canadian Copyright Bill C-60 on educators' and researchers' ability to reproduce materials for study. Explains that the Canadian Reprography Collective (CanCopy) was formed to provide easy legal public access to copyrighted material by issuing blanket licenses. Concludes that cooperation between creators, producers, and…