Jun 10
I have been catching up on my reading. The problem with blogs is that they put you onto so many new articles, blogs and websites with great stuff, which you may not come across otherwise. Oh yes, and that’s the great thing about them too.
Anyway, back on topic, 2 recent articles that I was put onto by fellow library bloggers that I found interesting and thought that others might too!
“Reference Publishing” by Sharon R Cole on the Website of BookTech Magazine, explores the current trends and future plans of Reference title publishing. (5 printed pages)
“Scan this book!” by Kevin Kelly of Wired Magazine was published in the NY Times. It was a very interesting and thought provoking look at the present situation with Google and the publishers over book scanning and where he thinks the book is going and how it will be accessed in future. I didn’t agree with everything Kevin wrote, but it was very interesting and controversial for me in places. A good bit of provocation every now and then is good for me!
Enjoy!
Jun 10
News coming out of the Attorney General’s office is outlining proposed amendments to Australian copyright law. This is not unusual in itself, what is unusual is that the proposed changes are actually sensible and beneficial to both individuals and libraries!
You can read about the details at in the Attorney General’s media release “Major Copyright Reforms strike balance” and ALIA’s “Libraries to benefit from upcoming copyright reform“.
In quick summary, here are some of the proposed changes:
- Format shifting will be allowable by law, if shifted from a legally owned copy – eg. you can rip a copy of a CD you own so that you can download it onto your MP3
- Individuals will legally be allowed to record TV and radio programs for later playback (once only of course) – something that millions of Australians have been doing illegally for years of course
- Educational, libraries and cultural institutions will be allowed to use copyright material for non-commercial purposes (yay for our promotional activities etc)
- Provides new exceptions for people with disabilities
Other exceptions and new security measures, as well as reforms to bring Australia in line with US copyright law as regards to the USA-Australia Free Trade Agreement are also expected in the draft Bill.
If all goes through as expected, this means exciting possibilities for libraries and a move towards more logical copyright law in Australia. A logical law is quite amazing in itself – one that benefits both the public and libraries is awe-inspiring.
Having said that however, we are all waiting on the content of the draft bill before celebrating. If it provides the content as promised by the Attorney General and makes it through the Houses of Parliament, we will indeed be celebrating.
Thanks to Blisspix for bringing this to my attention.
