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Legislation

 

Letter to Orrin Hatch and Patrick J. Leahy re: S. 2560, Inducing Infringement of Copyrights Act of 2004 (Oct. 6, 2004)

Letter from public interest organizations asking the Senators not to bring up S. 2560 at their scheduled Executive Business Meeting on October 7.

pdf lt_oppose-2560-06oct04.pdf

 
   

The Digital Millenium Copyright Act: Highlights of New Copyright Provision Establishing Limitation of Liability for Online Service Providers

One of the principal provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act ("DMCA") is a limitation on the potential money damages that Online Service Providers ("OSPs"), including libraries and educational institutions, could face when they function like a common carrier, allowing online users access to copyrighted material placed there by someone else. Rather than confront huge financial claims if the third party material infringes someone's copyright, OSPs can escape liability provided they comply with these new rules.

pdf dmca-highlights-limitation-of-liability.pdf

 
 

Memorandum re: Principles for the Release of Scientific Research Results (May 28, 2008)

As called for by Section 1009 of the America COMPETES Act, the attached Principles provide guidance and direction to agencies regarding the release of scientific research results.

pdf ostp-scientific-research-28may08.pdf

 
 

Orphan Works Legislation

The orphan works legislation is intended to enable someone, after conducting a "qualifying search" for the owner, to use an orphan work--a copyrighted work whose owner cannot be located.

pdf owlegislation.pdf

 
 

The Protect America Act and Libraries

The Protect America Act (PAA) has broad implications for libraries and library users. As Congress considers amending the Act prior to its sunset, the library community (the "LC") asks that its interest, and those of its users, be protected in the final bill language by requiring a warrant from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court ("FISC") to access the facilities of, or to obtain other information from, libraries in the United States.

pdf paa-and-libraries-5oct07.pdf

 
 

Letter to Congress re: Domestic Security Enhancement Act (DSEA) (Mar. 17, 2003)

Letter from public interest organizations expressing opposition to the Domestic Security Enhancement Act (DSEA).

pdf lt-patriot2-dsea-17mar03.pdf

 
         

Library Community Opposes Bill to Restrict Access to Data [press release]

Speaking on behalf of five of the nation's leading library organization—the American Association of Law Libraries, the American Library Association, the Association of Research Libraries, the Medical Library Association, and the Special Libraries Association—Prudence S. Adler, Associate Executive Director, ARL, voiced the opposition of the library community to the recently introduced "Database and Collections of Information Misappropriation Act" (H.R. 3261).

pdf hr3261-pressrelease-20oct03.pdf

 
 

Primer on the Digital Millenium: What the Digital Millenium Copyright Act and the Copyright Term Extension Act Mean for the Library Community

The Digital Millennium Copyright Act ("DMCA"), which is the centerpiece of the legislative strategy for the Clinton Administration and Congressional leaders responsible for copyright bills, was passed in the closing days of the 105th Congress. It is a very complex Act, which generated controversy and left unfinished business in its wake. As a result, high on the list of "must-dos" for the 106th Congress will be issues leftover from the DMCA.

pdf primer-digital-millenium1999.pdf

 
 

Letter to John Conyers and Lamar Smith re: H.R. 4279, Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act (PRO-IP Act) of 2007 (Mar. 5, 2008)

Letter from Library Copyright Alliance and others supporting the Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act (PRO-IP Act) of 2007, H.R. 4279 with some changes.

pdf lt-proipact-05mar08.pdf

 
 

Protecting Privacy & Intellectual Freedom in Libraries

The American Library Association (ALA) and the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) (the "Libraries") seek language in the RESTORE Act and other FISA modernization proposals that ensures judicial review of law enforcement requests for library patron records or surveillance of library users through library networks.

pdf protecting-privacy-22oct07.pdf

 
     
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