Copyright in Cyberspace: Questions and Answers for Librarians (Neal-Schuman Net-Guide Series) [Paperback]

Gretchen McCord Hoffmann (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2001 | ISBN-10: 1555704107 | ISBN-13: 978-1555704100

How do I know when I can legally download or copy an image from the Web? If I have the right to copy an image from a print publication, do I also have the right to put it on my Web page?

But I’m a librarian, what can they do to me?

Find the answers to these and many more questions in this helpful, easy to understand guide.

Learn what you should—and need— to know about copyright law, and how it applies to online information and specifically to libraries, including fair use and other pockets of protection, liability for Web content, interlibrary loan and resource sharing, download ing and printing rights, hyperlinks, public display and performance of audio/video Internet.

A look at recent legislation is included, along with a discussion of the increasingly important issue of trademark law and the use of words and symbols as logos, links, and in metatags on Web sites.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

This carefully researched volume provides a complete background on copyright and its implications for the library world. Organized chronologically, it cites the balance sought in American copyright law, its roots in British law, and the relationship between these laws. The remainder of the book is devoted to the intricacies "of what currently is and is not covered by copyright protection and what exactly that protection means." The writing style, although technically accurate, may present more detail than some librarians need in answering their questions. The "bottom line" information for the section on "Fair Use" is most readable and helps explain this complicated issue. The book is divided into: "Essential Background," "Applying Copyright to Cyberspace," "Specific Library Applications," and "Copyright Information Sourcebox." The latter section contains a variety of excerpts from the copyright act of 1976 and the ALA model policy concerning photocopying, and includes information about obtaining permission to use copyrighted material, fulfilling your responsibility as an information professional, and an extensive list of resources available from various organizations. As librarians assist patrons and staff to move through our litigious world, this volume will be indispensable for school districts and public libraries.

Mary Lankford, Texas Education Agency, Austin

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

With more libraries providing access to the Internet and World Wide Web, Hoffman (chief articles editor of Texas Intellectual Property Law Journal) offers an explanation of some of the laws and problems of copyright in an online environment. She divides her book into four sections. The first provides a generalized history of copyright law in the United States. The second section describes how copyright is applied to the online world. The third delves into library issues, specifically distance education and how resources (such as Title 17 of the U.S. Code) referred to throughout the book. This section is interesting to those wanting to read the actual laws, but these resources are available elsewhere and take up almost half of the guide. Also, there are not many print materials cited beyond 1997. A nice feature is a series of Q&A boxes that explain aspects of copyright and how they relate to libraries. Recommended, especially for collections concentrating on distance learning. Rob Martindale, Dallas P.L. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: Neal-Schuman Publishers (June 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1555704107
• ISBN-13: 978-1555704100
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,451,799 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent survey of a difficult reference challenge., October 19, 2007

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Copyright In Cyberspace 2: Questions And Answers For Librarians (Paperback)

Librarians and college-level collections catering to them will find the seasoned reference COPYRIGHT IN CYBERSPACE 2: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR LIBRARIANS to be of utmost importance in understanding the legal and technical ramifications of cyberspace information and reference requirements. Chapters are designed to help librarians and teaching professionals stay within the copyright law while continuing to make resources available to patrons and students, and survey typical challenges, basic public domain and copyright laws, and fair use issues, making for an excellent survey of a difficult reference challenge.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch