Why DRM is bad for Government Information
A recent article in GROKLAW critiques the extreme way one library is implementing digital rights management (DRM) and how it impacts fair use, first-sale, and re-usability of information. While focusing on the British Library, it does an excellent job of pointing out the dangers of DRM. Can we imagine the Future Digital System having documents that expire, that can't be printed, that are bound by contractual restrictions (not copyright!), that can be read on only one machine, that can't be copied, etc. etc.? GPO should disavow such uses of DRM, but it has never done so.
- The British Library - "The world's knowledge" DRM'd and for a price. by Pamela Jones. GROKLAW (May 07 2006)
More on Network Neutrality
More on Network Neutrality If the big telcom companies get their way and we lose network neutrality, that could affect libraries, library users, and users of digital government information. Two interesting pieces provide some interesting facts and perspective on the issues:
- Net Neutrality, the Kojo Nnamdi Show, WAMU FM (audio) May 9, 2006
- What the Misguided Have Missed Regarding Network Neutrality, by Craig Fields is Director of Internet Operations for Gun Owners of America, The Conservative Voice, May 09, 2006
The concept of Network Neutrality has unfortunately been misunderstood by many conservatives, libertarians, and other champions of the free market. That's too bad, because the free market essence of the Internet is exactly what would be lost without Network Neutrality.Continue reading
Open Access Legislation and Some Other Health Sciences Sources
The Federal Research Public Access Act of 2006 bill would require that federally funded research appearing in peer-reviewed journals be made openly accessible in digital repositories within six months of publication. See: beSpacific and Red Tape Blog. For additional discussion, be sure to include Open Access News and American Scientist Open Access Forum For some excellent background information on Open Access, good starting points include:
- Electronic Journals and Open Access via the National Network of Libraries of Medicine
- Medical Library Association: Statement on Open Access
- Open Access: Where You Publish Makes A Difference via Stanford University Lane Medical Library & Knowledge Management Center
- WMC Library - Open Access via Weill Cornell Medical Library
A non-lawyer’s journey through USC Title 44 – The law that guarantees information Pt. 1
Today I will start sharing and commenting on that part of Federal Law that regulates the dissemination of government information to America, that is United States Code Title 44. In the coming days, I will exam three parts of the law more closely: The Federal Depository Library Program, the Sales Program, and Access to Federal Electronic Government Information. Part of my purpose is simply to expose you to what the law says. Even many people who work in the documents field are unfamilar with the requirements of Title 44, which aren't always put into practice. I will also offer a few comments on each aspect of the law that I find interesting. In doing so, I want to emphasize two things:
- I am not a lawyer.
- I very much welcome comments from people who know Title 44 much better than me. Please either use the comments feature here or e-mail me at dnlcornwall AT alaska.net with your comment and your permission to post it to the discussion.
Sec. 1901. Definition of Government publication ``Government publication'' as used in this chapter, means informational matter which is published as an individual document at Government expense, or as required by law. (Pub. L. 90-620, Oct. 22, 1968, 82 Stat. 1283.) Historical and Revision Notes Based on 44 U.S. Code, 1964 ed., Sec. 81a (Pub. L. 87-579, Sec. 1, Aug. 9, 1962, 76 Stat. 352).Seems pretty much self explanatory to me. One may question whether government databases are individual documents, but it seems like any government database should be required by law. Tomorrow we will examine section 1902 "Availability of Government publications through Superintendent of Documents." Continue reading
New FGI poll
Please pop on over to the left column of the site and participate in our new FGI poll: "How do you archive (personally or institutionally) digital govt documents?". We'd love to know your thoughts too so feel free to leave a comment. Continue reading