This overview of the public domain covers: defining the public domain; figuring out if a work is protected by copyright; being sure a work is in the public domain; asserting the copyright protection and term; the Creative Commons initiative; building the Information Commons; when permission is needed for using a public domain work; and special…

Discusses current laws that can be applied to software piracy and methods to prevent piracy in organizations. Specifically looks at copyright and patent law. (JOW)

Intellectual property, which includes copyright, is an important legal concept for educators and other education professionals to understand. Intellectual property laws are designed to encourage the creation of original works, to stimulate creativity in society in general, and to protect and promote the creation and use of products of the human…

Is there a Web site that keeps track of copyright Infringers and fines? Some colleagues don't believe that copyright violators are ever penalized. This question was asked by a reader in a question and answer column of "School Library Journal". Carrie Russell is the American Library Association's copyright specialist, and she will answer selected…

The term "intellectual property" tends to warp thinking wherever it is used. It carries a bias in favor of dealing with a variety of issues as kinds of "property"; even worse, applying the term to various disparate issues focuses attention erroneously on the little that they have in common. The term should never be used, and we should not let…

On August 4, 2008, four leading associations serving research universities, the Association of Research Libraries, the Association of American Universities, the Coalition for Networked Information, and the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges, convened a roundtable discussion engaging provosts, chief research…

With government funding for most Australian universities below 60% and falling a major strategic emphasis for universities has been on securing other sources of operating revenue, including commercial opportunities and partnerships. The implication of increasing commercial activities such as non-award and tailored professional programmes, contract…

At the May 1995 Membership Meeting of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), a panel of experts offered four perspectives on strategies and public policy choices involved in defining the rights and responsibilities of copyright owners, users, and the libraries in the networked environment. These perspectives, and an additional paper…

This study analyzes the copyright knowledge levels of media directors of selected higher education institutions. A questionnaire was mailed to 466 media professionals at higher educational institutions who were members of the Division of Educational Media Management in the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT). The…

This pamphlet discusses how colleges and universities can protect themselves and their employees from liability for copyright infringement. The pamphlet outlines types of works that are copyrightable and notes that certain infringements of copyrights are excused under the doctrine of "fair use." The four factors in determining fair use are…

Based on the premise that anyone who works with words needs to understand copyright law, this handbook provides forms and step-by-step instructions for protecting all types of written expression under United States and international copyright law. The handbook discusses: (1) how to register a written work with the copyright office; (2) what types…

This document examines copyright issues that can be encountered during a production of educational materials. The book is divided into two parts: part 1 discusses sections of the current Copyright Act; part 2 focuses on specific production-related issues. Highlights of part 1 include working definitions; background; what can and cannot be…

Looks at the history of fair use of copyright-protected works, from concerns about photocopying to emergence of early guidelines, opposition, and continuing struggles to interpret the Copyright Act of 1976. Argues that no current fair use guidelines have the force of law; indeed, the law is a less complex measure than most guidelines. Recommends a…

Addresses copyright issues related to paper and electronic copying and describes how AT&T Bell Laboratories has developed policies to manage copyright compliance. Copyright law is discussed, examples of legal suits are given, the Copyright Clearance Center (CCC) is explained, and procedures to encourage compliance by end users and suppliers…

Educators and librarians are concerned that, if fair use principles for copyright of electronic data are not resolved soon, traditional scholarly and educational communication will be seriously disrupted. The Clinton Administration's Working Group on Intellectual Property Rights has been searching for common ground with copyright owners in an…