Since they were enacted in 1998, the "anti-circumvention" provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act ("DMCA"), codified in section 1201 of the Copyright Act, have not been used as Congress envisioned. Congress meant to stop copyright infringers from defeating anti-piracy protections added to copyrighted works and to ban…

Because of information law's inability to keep up with rapid changes in information technology and impreciseness of the law, copyrighting of databases poses unique problems. Interpretation of fair use doctrine, privately owned computer "downloading," impact of federal electronic filing, and questions concerning information businesses…

Reprints part of the draft guidelines on electronic data dissemination issued by the Department of Commerce. Issues addressed in the guidelines include the decision to disseminate; the use of electronic technology; private sector involvement; user fees; and the development of performance standards. (CLB)

Discusses issues that deal with the interface of copyright law and online systems. Areas of change needed to maintain the balance between users and creators of electronic information are identified, limits of the Copyright Act are explored, and it is suggested that existing copyright law can be applied to electronic information. (four references)…

Reviews both historical and current policies for access to government information, and discusses such current trends in government information as paperwork reduction, commercialization, privatization, and electronic publishing. The possible impact of these trends on the library's ability to provide access to information is briefly considered. (CLB)

Discusses U.S. government information policy issues related to the dissemination of information, particularly in electronic format. Policy initiatives with implications for dissemination of government information are also considered, including reauthorization of the Paperwork Reduction Act; revision of the Office of Management and Budget Circular…

This booklet summarizes the proceedings of a forum--whose audience consisted of over 200 library and information managers, congressional staff members, and persons from the information industry and academic community--on the condition of federal information policies as they relate to the Congressional initiative. Among issues discussed are: (1)…

Describes the information policy framework prescribed by OMB Circular No. A-130, which introduces the distinction between access to information and information dissemination. The discussion covers the use of electronic collection and dissemination of government information, together with the need to safeguard privacy and public access to…

This brief overview of recent policy initiatives--in addition to existing statutes and regulations--that may affect the Government Printing Office (GPO) Depository Library Program's (DLP) role in the dissemination of electronic government information identifies selected trends that may affect the public's access to electronic information through…

It is not legally permissible for depository libraries to impose user fees upon library patrons who want government information which is available in electronic format. Publishing federal agency is responsible for costs of furnishing access to the database, and Government Printing Office is obligated to pay the costs of conveying that information…

The Secretary amends 34 CFR part 99 to implement the Department of Education's interpretation of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) identified through administrative experience as necessary for proper program operation. These final regulations provide general guidelines for accepting ''signed and dated written consent'' under…

Argues that it is vital that librarians understand the issues and stakes involved in the electronic dissemination of government information. Areas discussed include the background of electronic dissemination of federal government information, issues and initiatives that have emerged in 1989, and actions that might be taken by concerned librarians…

The purpose of the hearings presented in this Congressional document was to highlight the enterprising, inventive, and imaginative ways that people use public information and ways that agencies disseminate it. Witnesses were called who could provide information about: (1) how federal data is used by people who make genuine contributions to the…

An open forum was held to let concerned parties comment on the report, "Provision of Federal Government Publications in Electronic Format to Depository Libraries," and to solicit suggestions for possible pilot projects that could test the feasibility of the proposal. More than 150 agency representatives, congressional staffers,…

This report, prepared by the Office of Technological Assessment (OTA) in response to a request from the House Committee on the Judiciary, examines the rapid and complex technological changes and trends in computer software technologies and their possible effects on the nation's intellectual property system. The three policy issues identified are:…