Concerns about Justice Dept. intervention in university library electronic reserves
Inside Higher Ed today has an article concerning a matter on which we have posted in the past. Increasingly, faculty put material on reserve for students. Typically, such material is not available to the general public; some kind of password or course registration is required. Publishers have sued regarding copyright violation in a case involving Georgia State U. So far, the library there has prevailed.
Apparently, the U.S. Dept. of Justice wants to intervene in the case, and the suspicion is that the intervention will be on the side of the publishers who are appealing a lower court ruling. You can read the details at:
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2013/02/01/library-supporters-worry-us-may-back-publishers-copyright-case
Not surprisingly, university librarians are distressed at this possible intervention. One librarian notes that in olden times (not so long ago), paper format reserves were kept on library shelves for students to read and no one complained.
Bottom line: University librarians are fearful that the Obama administration – despite its general enthusiasm for technology and education – is about to do them wrong:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyUpg3OFj5A?feature=player_detailpage]