Databases receive their copyright protection (or lack of protection) under several provisions in the copyright act, including the provisions on public domain, compilations, derivative works, and original works. Application of fair use to copyrighted databases centers on downloading; protection for locally produced databases can be secured.…

Summarizes information on proprietary aspects of abstracts prepared by Proprietary Rights Committee of Information Industry Association and Copyright Committee of National Federation of Abstracting and Indexing Societies. A definition of abstracts, legal issues, United States copyright law, derivative works, ownership of copyrights, fair use, and…

This circular answers some of the questions that are frequently asked about copyright, a form of protection provided by the laws of the United States to authors of "original works of authorship" including library, dramatic musical, artistic, and certain other intellectual works. The Copyright Act of 1976 (title 17 of the United States…

This circular answers some of the questions that are frequently asked about copyright, a form of protection provided by the laws of the United States to the authors of "original works of authorship" including literary, dramatic musical, artistic, and certain other intellectual works. The Copyright Act of 1976 (title 17 of the United…

This article, written before report to Congress by Register of Copyrights was issued, examines whether balancing of rights of creators and needs of users has been accomplished by Copyright Revision Act of 1976, and reviews key issues in dispute between librarians and publishers over use of copyrighted materials in libraries. (EJS)

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)

Discusses issue of photocopying of unpublished personal papers by archives and manuscript repositories at request of individual researchers. Historical rationale for common-law protection, support for statutory law protection, ambiguities in fair-use provisions, effects on photocopying, survey of manuscript repositories, and dissatisfaction with…

Discussion of the issue of copyright regulation highlights 1909 statute, 1976 Copyright Act, those affected by copyright, "Betamax" case, and responsibility of Congress in copyright regulation. Creation of federal administrative agency to design standards for application of fair copyright principles through regulation and adjudication is…

Focuses on copyright problems associated with the duplication of audiovisual and nonprint materials, giving specific attention to illustrations, photographs, drawings and maps, slides and transparencies, audiotapes and phonorecords, films and filmstrips, videotapes and videodiscs, and audiovisual packages. A 104-item bibliography is included. (EJS)

Reprography of musical works as covered by Copyright Law 1976 (section 108) and new law (PL94-553) is discussed. Historical interpretation and exclusion of music and copyright, impact of law on music libraries, and recommendations for revision of law by Music Library Association and Music Publisher's Association of America are highlighted. (EJS)

Discussion of the effects of copyright on microcomputer software highlights the nature of copyright and situations in which the copying of copyrighted software may be permitted. Rights that a purchaser should insist upon when contracting for computer equipment are noted, i.e., right to test hardware and software prior to purchase. (EJS)

Discusses five-year review of the issue of library reproduction of copyrighted works mandated by Section 108(i) of Copyright Act of 1976. Highlights include preparation for Register's report (advisory committee, hearings, King Research report, librarian/copyright proprietor meetings); findings; and recommendations (voluntary agreements and…

This review of sections of copyright laws most relevant to media librarians covers requirements of authors, sole rights of copyright owners, fair use and other exceptions to sole rights, the Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) case, the Sony case, exempt public performances, and computer software. Twenty-nine references are provided.…

This discussion of the 1976 Copyright Law highlights the librarian's responsibility, guidelines for interlibrary loan copying published by National Commission on New Technological Uses of Copyrighted Works (CONTU) and the American Library Association Interlibrary Loan Committee, and nonprint materials and copyright. Thirteen references and an…

The nine papers in this collection discuss the educational issues raised by the 1976 Copyright Revision Act with special emphasis on conflicts between the rights of teachers and learners and the rights of creators. Topics covered include: (1) the history of copyright development in Europe and America, (2) the educational implications of the new…