Digital Commons Network^™

Fair Use Challenges In Academic And Research Libraries, Peter Jaszi

Copyright, Fair Use & Open Access

Academic and research libraries are key players in the generation and propagation of knowledge in the U.S., and their interpretation of the balancing features of copyright is critical to the quality of research, teaching, and learning they support. Approaches and methods for research, teaching, and learning are changing rapidly with opportunities presented by digitization and Internet communication. Academic and research librarians need and use the balancing features of copyright—including exemptions listed in Sections 108 and 110 of the Copyright Act, as well as fair use (codified in Section 107)—in order to accomplish the routine tasks of their profession. This report …

Real-Life Protection For Fictional Trademarks, Benjamin M. Arrow

Fordham Intellectual Property, Media and Entertainment Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Copyright For Engineered Dna: An Idea Whose Time Has Come?, Christopher M. Holman

Christopher M Holman

The rapidly emerging field of synthetic biology has tremendous potential to address some of the most compelling challenges facing our planet, by providing clean renewable energy, nutritionally-enhanced and environmentally friendly agricultural products, and revolutionary new life-saving cures. However, leaders in the synthetic biology movement have voiced concern that biotechnology's current patent-centric approach to intellectual property is in many ways ill-suited to meet the challenge of synthetic biology, threatening to impede follow-on innovation and open access technology. For years, copyright and patent protection for computer software have existed side-by-side, the two forms of intellectual property complementing one another. Numerous academic commentators …

From Music Tracks To Google Maps: Who Owns Computer-Generated Works?, Mark Perry, Thomas Margoni

Law Publications

Increasingly the digital content used in everyday life has little or no human intervention in its creation. Typically, when such content is delivered to consumers it comes with attached claims of copyright. However, depending on the jurisdiction, approaches to ownership of computer-generated works vary from legislated to uncertain. In this paper we look at the various approaches taken by the common law, such as in Canada, and the legislative approach taken in the United Kingdom. The options for how computer-generated works may be treated and suggestions for their best placement in copyright are discussed.

Real Copyright Reform, Jessica Litman

Jessica Litman

A copyright system is designed to produce an ecology that nurtures the creation, dissemination and enjoyment of works of authorship. When it works well, it encourages creators to generate new works, assists intermediaries in disseminating them widely, and supports readers, listeners and viewers in enjoying them. If the system poses difficult entry barriers to creators, imposes demanding impediments on intermediaries, or inflicts burdensome conditions and hurdles on readers, then the system fails to achieve at least some of its purposes. The current U.S. copyright statute is flawed in all three respects. In this article, I explore how the current copyright …

From Music Tracks To Google Maps: Who Owns Computer-Generated Works?, Mark Perry, Thomas Margoni

Mark Perry

Increasingly the digital content used in everyday life has little or no human intervention in its creation. Typically, when such content is delivered to consumers it comes with attached claims of copyright. However, depending on the jurisdiction, approaches to ownership of computer-generated works vary from legislated to uncertain. In this paper we look at the various approaches taken by the common law, such as in Canada, and the legislative approach taken in the United Kingdom. The options for how computer-generated works may be treated and suggestions for their best placement in copyright are discussed.

Copyright And The First Amendment: Comrades, Combatants Or Uneasy Allies?, Joseph P. Bauer

Joseph P. Bauer

The copyright regime and the First Amendment seek to promote the same goals. Both seek the creation and dissemination of more, better and more diverse literary, pictorial, musical and other works. But, they use significantly different means to achieve those goals. The copyright laws afford to the creator of a work the exclusive right to reproduce, distribute, transform and perform that work for a extended period of time. The First Amendment, on the other hand, proclaims that Congress “shall make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech or of the press,” thus at least nominally indicating that limitations on …

Another Look At Bill C-32 And The Access Copyright Tariff: Still Double Trouble For Higher Education, Samuel E. Trosow

FIMS Presentations

Earlier this year, the government tabled Bill C-32, proposed amendments to the Copyright Act. Following a consultation process, the Bill is widely recognized as more reasonable than its predecessor, Bill C-61. On the positive side, the bill would expand fair dealing to explicitly include "education". On the other hand, the digital locks provisions of the Bill are fundamentally flawed and override many existing and proposed users rights. Also this year, Access Copyright filed a proposed tariff for the post-secondary education sector with the Copyright Board. The proposal, which includes a drastic increase in costs as well as numerous new reporting …

Social Semiotics In The Fair Use Analysis, H Brian Holland

H Brian Holland

Social Semiotics in the Fair Use Analysis

34,314 words

3,809 footnotes (Bluebook formatted)

This article presents an alternate theory of fair use, employing social semiotics as a process theory of meaning-making to frame the transformativeness inquiry. It is an argument for an expansion of fair use based not on theories of authorship or rights of autonomy, but rather a theory of the audience linked to social practice. The article asks, in essence, whether audiences determine the meaning, purpose, function, or social benefit of an allegedly infringing work, often regardless of what the work’s creator did or intended. If so, does …

Social Semiotics In The Fair Use Analysis, H Brian Holland

H Brian Holland

Social Semiotics in the Fair Use Analysis

34,314 words (including 380 footnotes)

This article presents an alternate theory of fair use, employing social semiotics as a process theory of meaning-making to frame the transformativeness inquiry. It is an argument for an expansion of fair use based not on theories of authorship or rights of autonomy, but rather a theory of the audience linked to social practice. The article asks, in essence, whether audiences determine the meaning, purpose, function, or social benefit of an allegedly infringing work, often regardless of what the work’s creator did or intended. If so, does this …

Social Semiotics In The Fair Use Analysis, H. Brian Holland

H. Brian Holland

Social Semiotics In The Fair Use Analysis, H. Brian Holland

H. Brian Holland

Localism As A Production Imperative: An Alternative Framework To Promoting Intangible Cultural Heritage And Expressions Of Folklore, Jon M. Garon

Jon M. Garon

In the United States, the policy of localism – the legislative goal of fostering local community expression and competence to deliver local content – finds its home in the Telecommunications Act rather than either the Copyright Act or Trademark Act. Other nations have introduced values of localism into trade policy, content distribution rules, and international efforts to protect intangible cultural heritage and expressions of folklore.Jurisdictions in every continent are struggling to address the pressures of globalism through efforts to protect indigenous peoples’ and minority communities’ languages and culture. These efforts take many forms. Nations have introduced efforts to protect these …

Space Age Love Song: The Mix Tape In A Digital Universe, Megan M. Carpenter

Nevada Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Collaborative Copyright--Or Copyright Is Not Just A Library Issue, Susanne Clement, Jennifer Duncan, Betty Rozum

Library Faculty & Staff Presentations

Copyright law does not change often; the technology that allows us to use copyrighted works changes all the time. Faculty often assume fair use covers all use of copyrighted material in their classes (both face to face and online) and they become confused and frustrated when they learn of limitations in the electronic environment. Students rarely think about copyright; they are generally unaware of how their actions might infringe the rights of copyright holders or that they themselves might hold these rights in their own works. Librarians have traditionally had some copyright knowledge – after all copyright notices have been …

Making Virtual Copyright Work, Matthew R. Farley

Law Student Publications

This Article proposes measures that attempt to strike the balance between creation and access. The virtual-world community is not likely to persevere with the little copyright protection it currently enjoys. Creativity will dwindle and the rich, energetic settings that make virtual worlds so attractive to businesses and entertainers will follow suit. At the same time, because much of the creativity in virtual worlds is derivative in nature, virtual creators are also unlikely to benefit from strong copyright protections. Therefore, current interpretation of copyright law must be revisited and revised before applying it to virtual worlds. Part I details virtual worlds …

The Protection Of Rights Management Information: Modernization Or Cup Half Full?, Mark Perry

Mark Perry

Many papers in this collection discuss the history and development of Bill C-32, An Act to Amend the Copyright Act, introduced into the Canadian Parliament on 2 June 2010, so that analysis will not be duplicated here. Among the failures of copyright reform has been the lack of addressing the required “balancing” of proprietary rights on the one hand, with user rights and the public domain on the other. Rights Management Information (RMI) can aid in this balancing. The RMI of a work is simply data that provide iden- tification of rights related to that work, either directly or indirectly. …

Los Derechos De Autor Y El Dominio Público, Rodolfo C. Rivas Rea Esq.

Rodolfo C. Rivas

The author discusses the subtle differences between Copyright and Author's Rights. Then he goes into analyzing the different ways a work can become part of the public domain and how it varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and from time to time.////////////////////////////////////////////////////El autor analiza las sutiles diferencias entre los derechos de autor y el copyright. Posteriormente se adentra en el análisis de las formas en las que una obra entra dentro del dominio público, y como estas varían dependiendo del territorio y de la época.

Draft Of Beck Lecture - 2010, Wendy J. Gordon

Scholarship Chronologically

I am grateful to the wonderful BU community that has taught me so much, and to those who made this event possible. I thank Dean O'Rourke for hosting this wonderful event, Mary Gallagher, Cornell Stinson and Erin Elwood for organizing it, and I thank you all for coming. I am honored to follow Bill Ryckman in the Chair, a man I admire. Most especially I thank Phil Beck for his generosity to the Boston University School of Law in funding this Chair. It's flattering to me having been chosen its recipient, and flattering to the school that Phil chose us …

Draft Of Beck Speech - 2010, Wendy J. Gordon

Scholarship Chronologically

I come here with a sense of gratitude, to the intellectually stimulating BU community of students, staff and faculty, that has taught me so much, and grateful today especially to those who made this event possible. I would like to thank you all for coming, thank Dean O'Rourke for hosting this wonderful event, Mary Gallagher and Cornell Stinson for organizing it, and most especially I thank Phil Beck for his generosity to the Boston University School of Law in funding this Chair. It's immensely flattering to me having been chosen the initial recipient, and flattering to the school that Phil …

Copyright Protection In Factual Compilations: Feist Publications V. Rural Telephone Service Company "Altruism Expressed In Copyright Law", Sherrie Callis

Golden Gate University Law Review

In the wake of Feist, copyright practitioners are scrambling to determine what it all means, and how best to protect their client's intellectual property rights and interests. While different views are presented, an expression of dismay is common. This note will address the question: are the copyright practitioners justified in their concern? Part I will outline the Constitutional underpinnings of copyright protection. More specifically, this Part will discuss the two theories underlying the case law in the circuit courts of appeal, including a discussion of their legal philosophies. Part II will examine the Court's decision in Feist. Part III will …

Galoob V. Nintendo: Derivative Works, Fair Use & Section 117 In The Realm Of Computer Programs Enhancements, Christopher A. Kesler

Golden Gate University Law Review

This Note will analyze the holding in Lewis Galoob Toys, Inc. v. Nintendo of America. First a background of copyright law relevant to computer technology and video games will be developed. Emphasis will be placed on the issues surrounding exceptions to a copyright holder's exclusive rights and the enhancement of computer programs.

Ending The Power To Say No: The Case For Extending Compulsory Licensing To Cover Digital Music Reproduction And Distribution Rights, Patrick A. Mckay

Patrick A McKay

This paper argues that the recording industry has abused its power to deny uses of copyrighted music and has failed to satisfy the constitutional purpose of copyright of providing for the public benefit. As a result, this power should be removed and replaced with a compulsory license system similar to the Section 115 Reform Act of 2006 (SIRA), which would create a blanket collective license covering digital reproduction and distribution rights for musical works. Additionally, in order to remove the cloud of uncertainty which surrounds music used in user-generated videos, Congress should consider extending the compulsory license regime to cover …

The Impact Of The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (Acta) On Canadian Copyright Law, Elizabeth Judge, Saleh Al-Sharieh

Joint PIJIP/TLS Research Paper Series

With the advent of The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA), the protection and enforceability of intellectual property rights will continue growing. Canadians, like other citizens whose countries may adhere to this treaty, would notice major changes to the legal systems regulating their rights and obligations with respect to intellectual property. With respect to copyright law, by deciding to be a party of ACTA, Canada would be facing a true challenge of fulfilling its international obligations and at the same time preserving its carefully drawn copyright law and policy. This paper argues that the impact of ACTA on Canadian copyright law would …

Decentralizing Culture: The Effect Of Digital Networks On Copyright And Music Distribution, Benjamin Gibert

Benjamin Gibert

The advance of technology profoundly impacts how people interact with culture as the proliferation of digital networks transforms the effects of copyright in modern societies. This paper argues that the oligopolistic conditions of content markets and the legal discourse of intellectual property law have historically enabled copyright holders to promote a limited conception of art and obscure the complexities of copyright theory. While conceptual ambiguity is inevitable in the construction of aesthetic legal categories, current practices impose too many restrictions. The practical choices made concerning copyright in cyberspace will determine the evolution of culture in increasingly networked societies. The music …

Barricading The Digital Frontier: Copyright, Technology And The War On Music Piracy, Benjamin Gibert

Benjamin Gibert

The Internet is changing the way vast numbers of people experience culture today. Providing tools to interact with, manipulate and freely redistribute content, technology is dissolving conventional divisions between creators and consumers of cultural artefacts. As new technological and legislative mechanisms are deployed to stop digital piracy, there is a need to reflect on the meaning of copyright, piracy and culture in the context of digital technologies. This paper discusses the relationship between copyright and cultural participation. It refers to the music industry in order to depict the changing patterns of consumption behavior precipitated by the rise of digital networks …

When Too Much Is Enough: Addressing The Rising Number Of Open Source Software Licenses And Their Effect On Innovation, Natalie G. Banach

Natalie G Banach

This article addresses a growing problem in the open source software industry, namely license proliferation. The open source software movement is revolutionary in that its participants rely on a creative licensing scheme to foster innovation in the face of increasing restrictions in copyright law. Nevertheless, the impressive strides the open source software community has taken is now threatened by the growing number of complex and incompatible licenses. This article proposes that the solution lies in the application of a framework that every software programmer and legal practitioner can use to better understand the licenses and ultimately propel innovation in the …

Technology & Copyright Law-The Nfl’S Ability To Protect Its Copyrights In Game Broadcasts, Sonali P. Chitre

Sonali P Chitre

Copyright is critical to protecting sports broadcasts and new technology has evolved to disseminate these broadcasts to the many people that enjoy professional sports. Because of new digital rights in the copyright statute, the NFL has very strong copyright protections that cover Internet, satellite, television, and radio licensing of its broadcasts. This article analyzes the NFL’s “blackout” rule in the context of growing technology and increased copyright protection.

In NFL v. McBee & Bruno’s, Inc., the Eighth Circuit held that defendant sports bar’s display of “blacked-out” games did not fall under an exemption regarding common use since satellite dishes were …

The Time And Place For "Technology-Shifting" Rights, Max Stul Oppenheimer

Marquette Intellectual Property Law Review

Intellectual property policy requires balance between the goal of motivating innovation and the need to prevent that motivation from stifling further innovation. The constitutional grant of congressional power to motivate innovation by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries is qualified by the requirement that congressional enactments under the Intellectual Property Clause promote progress. The Supreme Court has already recognized a time-shifting exception to the intellectual property rights of innovators and lower courts have recognized a place-shifting exception. It is now the time and place for a general technology-shifting exception …

Quilt Artists: Left Out In The Cold By The Visual Artists Rights Act Of 1990, Michelle Moran

Marquette Intellectual Property Law Review

The United States Copyright Act with the inclusion of the Visual Artists Rights Act of 1990 (VARA) gives sculptors, painters, and photographers a bundle of rights that include the moral rights of attribution and integrity. However, the artistic efforts of artists who create quilts, whether the original purpose was to hang the quilt on the wall or to provide warmth and comfort on a bed, are not included in VARA due to the exclusion of applied art from VARA. This Comment contends that the Congressional intent to protect the highly personal connection artists have to their creations supports extending the …