Reviews the economic theory of property rights and explores four applications of the transaction cost theory of property rights and free distribution in the economics of information: (1) copying technology; (2) computer software and copy protection; (3) satellite television and encryption; and (4) public libraries. (56 references) (MES)

Discussion of issues surrounding the microcomputer's capability to download online search results covers types of downloading; scope of downloading; legal issues (copyright and database contract provisions and policies); and effects of downloading (widespread pricing changes, and provision of database subsets by database producers). (MBR)

Notes that microcomputer use in Hong Kong's small business community does not reflect the growth of its high-tech electronics industry and discusses IBM's influence in Hong Kong and Asia, the counterfeiting of Apple microcomputers and software, and why Apple currently has no recourse. (MBR)

In ten countries today--but not in the United States--each time a book is borrowed from a public library, its author is credited with a small payment or library usage royalty. This system, known as Public Lending Right, or PLR, is described. (MLW)

This paper proposes solutions to technical, copyright, and financial problems of downloading (storage in machine-readable form at user's site as result of searches in machine-readable file held on vendor's computer). Challenges of downloading--establishing ground rules, new pricing structure, new sales possibilities--are discussed. Six references…

Collegiate licensing is of interest to the athletic departments who want to bolster their budgets and to university administrators who consider it a vehicle by which "protection" may be provided for the symbols of their schools. Manufacturers of collegiate insignia have been accused of exploitation of university's proprietary rights.…

Various legal methods, such as copyright, trade secret, and patent law, protect proprietary rights in computer software. Users of this software must respect these rights or face infringement lawsuits. (TE)

Photocopying guidelines of the 1976 amendments to the Copyright Act have been further legitimized by a 1982 settlement involving New York University. Important recent developments concerning videotape copyrights include the 1981 guidelines of the House Judiciary Committee and the 1984 United States Supreme Court case, "Sony Corporation v.…

Examines ramifications of legislative recognition of concept of fair use in Copyright Act of 1976 and argues that elimination of fair use doctrine, coupled with increase in technological approaches to reporting of secondary use of copyrighted material, will benefit authors, publishers, and librarians alike. Fifteen references are cited. (EJS)

A discussion of several national laws and international agreements regarding copyright and fair use of broadcast materials recorded off the air. (LS)

A discussion of the development of international agreements for solving the problems of customs duties, quotas, currency controls, license requirements, special taxes and fees for transport of audiovisual material. (HB)

Transferring records to tape in libraries may be infringing on Canada's copyright laws. (PG)

Responds to the Alex Caughran article on copyright law, pointing out the significance of the fair use'' provisions in both the present and proposed laws. See also CS 705 949. (RD)