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Copy-Right!:

Selected World Wide Web Resources

Introduction

Intellectual property is one of the hottest topics on the World Wide Web (WWW). Major revisions in copyright law are in preparation, and designers of Web content are trying to find ways to protect their works from unfair use. Lawyers, government offices, authors, and publishers have all made websites supporting their positions in the ongoing debate. These resources listed here will help you get an overview of what's available on the Information Superhighway.

Starting Points

Copyright & Fair Use

Stanford University and the Council on Library Resources are collaborating to build an archive of copyright statutes, decisions, and articles. The site is very current and well-designed without clutter. It promises to become one of the best places to start for copyright information.
http://fairuse.stanford.edu
 

Copyright Term and the Public Domain in the United States

Part of the Cornell Copyright Information Center - an online chart that assists in the determination of a work's copyright status.
http://www.copyright.cornell.edu/training/Hirtle_Public_Domain.htm
 

Full Service Sites: Overviews & Links

Digital Millennium Copyright Act

U.S. Copyright Office Executive Summary of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Includes background and summary of the law.
http://www.copyright.gov/reports/studies/dmca/dmca_executive.html
 

U. S. Copyright Office Home Page

The basics on copyright, plus downloadable forms for registering works.
http://lcweb.loc.gov/copyright/
 

FAQs

10 Big Myths About Copyright Explained

Brad Hamilton's widely cited discussion of basic copyright questions, from an author's perspective. A quick read and a good start.
http://www.clari.net/brad/copymyths.html
 

Oppedahl & Larson

An extensive collection of links and brief explanations of various aspects of copyright law. Mr. Oppedahl is a well-known authority on intellectual property, and his homepage contains material on all aspects of patents, trademarks and copyright.
http://www.patents.com/copyrigh.sht
 

Other Useful Sites

International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA)

A comprehensive bibliography of electronic texts on copyright. The single best source for complete documents on copyright on the Web.
http://www.ifla.org/II/cpyright.htm
 

Listservs

The CNI-Copyright Listserv

The Coalition for Networked Information sponsors a discussion list on copyright that is very active and includes lawyers, librarians, publishers and authors. Archives on the Web. For more information, visit http://www.cni.org/hforums/cni-copyright/.

The Very Best Site

University of Texas System Office of General Counsel

This site has perhaps the most relevant information for UTHSCSA faculty, staff and students on how copyright affects them. Georgia Harper, UT System copyright lawyer, has developed a series of presentations and papers on copyright from several perspectives--the library, the teacher, and the researcher. It's as close to authoritative as you can get without a private consultation.
http://www.utsystem.edu/ogc/IntellectualProperty/cprtindx.htm