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« Older EntriesWorld “Fair Use” Day
Yesterday, I abandoned my office for several hours to attend “The First Annual World’s Fair Use Day” at the Newseum in Washington D.C. It was organized by the D.C.-based non-profit consumer advocacy group, Public Knowledge. There is lots of information and coverage on this event at http://worldsfairuseday.org/. I will limit my comments to [...]
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E-Books
I am currently looking at a variety of e-book readers and may indulge in one in the near future. Perhaps similar to choosing countertops for our kitchen, no e-reader is perfect and offers all the features one may want. If you have selected one you love, please let me know. At the [...]
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International Copyright Meetings
THE WIPO STANDING COMMITTEE ON COPYRIGHT AND RELATED RIGHTS
The nineteenth session will take place in Geneva from December 14 to 18, 2009. The Committee is currently discussing special provisions for education, libraries and persons with disabilities, as well as the protection of audiovisual performances and broadcasting organizations. Meeting documents are at: [...]
Using Flickr Photos
One common misunderstanding about copyright is that online content is not protected by copyright. Not true! Even if the content is posted without a copyright notice or other copyright information, that content should be presumed to be protected by copyright.
The same copyright principles apply to photographs posted on Flickr. In a recent situation, Toyota U.S.A. [...]
Positions for librarians and lawyers
There seems to be an increasing number of positions for librarians in the area of copyright and licensing.
IFLA (located in The Hague) is currently looking for a Copyright Policy Officer. The University of Michigan has an opening for the Head of Electronic Acquisitions and Licensing. The Ontario Colleges Library Service has an opening for [...]
Certificate in Copyright Management
A Certificate in Copyright Management, originally developed for special librarians, is now open to all. The Certificate is offered from Copyrightlaws.com jointly with the Special Library Association/Click University. It consists of 5 online courses and 2 in-person courses, leading the participant from an introduction to copyright management to digital issues to teaching others [...]
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Creative Commons: Defining NonCommercial
Creative Commons published a study on September 14, 2009, Defining “Noncommercial”: A Study of How the Online Population Understands “Noncomemrcial Use”.
This Study was commissioned by Creative Commons in 2008-2009 from a professional market research firm to delve into the meaning of “commercial” and “noncommercial” use in relation to online content.
One quote from the [...]
Reproduction of 11 Words May be Infringement
Danske Dagblades Forening, a Danish newspaper industry body, is suing Infopaq, a Danish clippings service, over its reproduction of 11-word snippets of news for sale to clients. The European Court of Justice stated that copyright law would apply to extracts even if they contained just 11 words. However, the Court has not yet [...]
Posted in Copyright Law, European Union | 1 Comment »>
Confidentiality Clauses in License Agreements
The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) is encouraging its members not to sign confidentiality clauses/agreements that prevent them from sharing information in their digital licenses. The press release states that openness in agreements will result in better terms and conditions for libraries.
See the ARL press release at http://www.arl.org/news/pr/nondisclosure-5june09.shtm.
Answers to Copyright Questions
Some time ago I started a blog which sets out questions and answers to copyright questions. The questions are divided into 16 categories so they can easily be searched. Many people continue to contribute questions as comments which I answer (usually within 24 hours) and which I eventually incorporate into my postings. Please help me [...]
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Book on Licensing for Librarians
I am delighted to share the news that the 2nd edition of my book, Licensing Digital Content: A Practical Guide for Librarians, is now out! You can order it directly from ALA Editions. The book blog is at www.licensingdigitalcontent.blogspot.com. The book covers licensing issues for librarians in the US, Canada and around the world.
If you [...]
Aggregators free to use California public records
As you may know, in the U.S. federal government documents are not protected by copyright. (Canadian federal government documents are protected by copyright in Canada.) Take this in context when reading the summary of the February 5th, 2009 decision by the California Court of Appeals for the Sixth Appellate District released its decision in California first [...]
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Copyright, New Media Law & E-Commerce News
Vol. 13, No. 2, February 16, 2009 (ISSN 1489-954X) of Copyright, New Media Law & E-Commerce News, is now available. Email lehletter @ copyrightlaws.com for a copy. This issue will shortly be posted at: http://epe.lac-bac.gc.ca/100/201/300/copyright/.
Contents include:
Is Illegal Use of Subscription Web Site a Copyright Violation?
Obama: Hope artist asks for Fair Use Ruling
NFB Makes Films Available [...]
Copyright E-Letter
Vol. 13, No. 1, January 5, 2009 of Copyright, New Media Law & E-Commerce News is now available. It includes content on:
Music Industry Set to Abandon Mass Piracy Lawsuits
Harry Potter Lexicon Decision Analyzed
Judge Rules Facts Are Not Copyright-Protected
Hasbro Drops Lawsuit Against Makers of Scrabulous
Canadian Copyright Board Increases Tax on Blank Compact Disks
Advice for Obama’s New Chief [...]
Copyright, New Media Law & E-Commerce News
The current newsletter from my office:
Vol. 12, No. 7, December 5, 2008
ISSN 1489-954X
contents:
1.Studies, Legislation and Conventions:
Canadian Government Commitment to Copyright Reform
World Blind Union Proposes WIPO Treaty
WIPO Deadlocked on Traditional Knowledge Treaty
2.Legal Cases:
Harvard Professor Challenges Copyright Law
Judge Approves Google Book Agreement
3.Of Interest:
MySpace Allows Copyright-Protected Videos, With Advertisements
4.Seminars and Publications:
E-Tutorial Copyright Courses
Certificate in Copyright Management
The Copyright & [...]
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