Customer Reviews

Complete Copyright: An Everyday Guide For Librarians

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Published in a sprial bound format, Complete Copyright: An Everyday Guide For Librarians by Carrie Russell is a project of the "Office for Information Technology Project" of the American Library Association and is enhanced with contributions by thirteen specialists and experts in copyright law and its relevance to academic and public library systems. Color illustrations, highlighted passages, a dash of humor and situational questions enhance the basic study of American copyright law, making the information easier to assimilate. Covering modern-day legal issues and coverage especially as apply to libraries ranging from the concept of "fair use" to the "first sale doctrine" that allows the resale or donation of lawfully purchased or acquired books, etc. to issues specific to copyright in the digital age, and much more, Complete Copyright carries the highest recommendation for libraries and librarians everywhere in the rapidly changing twenty-first century.

Copyrights used to be so simple. The U.S. Constitution says: to promote the progrss of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors and inventors exclusive right to their respective writing and discoveries. From there it gets a lot messier. For instance a book copyrighted and published in 1930 was under copyright for 28 years. If the copyright was not renewed it expired in 1958. But if in 1958 the copyright was renewed for an additional 28 years, or 1986. But the law was changed so that if the copyright was not renewed the book is in the public domain. But if it was renewed the copyright now goes until 70 years after the death of the author, or maybe 95 years after it was first published, or possibly 120 years after it was created.

And if you think that is a mess, wait until you get into digital, like the web. If a book is still in copyright in the US, but available on an Australian web site, can you download it, can you print a copy, can you sell it?

This book clearly, and using an interesting format explains these and lots more points.

This is a great entry-level book. It's well-written with easy-to-understand case studies and pertinent examples.

This book is thorough, clear, and useful. It is filled with excellent examples and quality explanations. I recommend it.