Satellite Teleconference on Digital Millennium Copyright Act
Friday, May 21, 1999
Noon–3:00 p.m. EDT

Co-sponsored by:

American Association of Law Libraries
American Library Association
Association of Research Libraries
Medical Library Association
Special Libraries Association

Hosted by:

George Washington University Library

Endorsed by:

Coalition for Networked Information
EDUCAUSE

During 1998, the 105th Congress passed two bills to amend the 1976 Copyright Act: the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), intended to update copyright law for the digital age in selected arenas, and the Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act, which gives copyright owners another 20 years of copyright protection for their works. Significantly, a third piece of legislation, database protection, did not pass last year and has been reintroduced in the House this session. The current bill has the potential for fundamentally changing the way the research and educational community works.

These changes to copyright law enacted in the 105th Congress have significant implications for libraries, archives, and institutions of higher education. Of particular importance, portions of the DMCA contain detailed regulations for online service providers that must be followed to obtain protection from liability for infringement. Not only must online service providers register with the Copyright Office, but educational institutions are also required to educate their communities about copyright law and compliance. Other sections of the law will require the community to develop processes for collecting information and conducting studies to ensure the long-term protection of fair use and other copyright exceptions. In addition, changes to the law are still possible as Congress directed the Copyright Office to study how digital technology could be used to promote distance education.

With a distinguished panel of experts, this teleconference, "Copyright in the New Millennium," described the new laws; discussed the implications for libraries, archives, and educational institutions as they attempt to comply with the new laws; and discussed strategies for the community as it engages in the ongoing studies required by the law and confronts pending database legislation.

Speakers Included:

• Laura N. (Lolly) Gasaway, Director of the Law Library and Professor of Law, University of North Carolina.
• Georgia Harper, University of Texas System, Office of General Counsel
• Sharon A. Hogan, University Librarian, University of Illinois at Chicago
• Peter A. Jaszi, Professor of Law, Washington College of Law, American University
• Frederick W. Weingarten, Director, Office for Information Technology Policy, American Library Association

Video Kit Ordering Information

"Copyright in the New Millennium: The Impact of Recent Changes to US Copyright Law Kit," videotape (135 minutes; closed-captioned) and participant materials (70 pp.). May 1999. $300

Discounts are available for bulk orders of any ARL publication used for workshops and classroom instruction. Contact ARL Publications for more information or to place an order.

Teleconference Materials

• Rick Weingarten's slides [PDF]

• Audience & Panel Q&A [PDF]

Continuing Education Units

The Medical Library Association awarded 3 contact hours for the teleconference.
The Special Libraries Association awarded 0.3 continuing education units for the teleconference.
The American Association of Law Libraries provided a Certificate of Participation for AALL members. AALL did not award continuing education units.