Ariel Katz has an exhaustive, 4,000 word must-read post on the Georgia State University fair use decision and some of the implications for Canadian copyright and the university licensing. Every Canadian university that signs the Access Copyright letter of intent today should read this post first.
“…the fear of being liable for copyright infringement plays an important role for the university administrators…” sums up copyright paranoia well. While deterence may not work to thwart many common criminal activities, it certainly works to keep the sheep away from any kind of perceived wrongdoing. Instead of visualizing all the steps that must take place between a possibly infringing act, and the pronouncement of a court they immediately assume that a minimal act will certainly subject them to the most severe statutory penalties.
Law Bytes
Episode 231: Sara Bannerman on How Canadian Political Parties Maximize Voter Data Collection and Minimize Privacy Safeguards
“…the fear of being liable for copyright infringement plays an important role for the university administrators…” sums up copyright paranoia well. While deterence may not work to thwart many common criminal activities, it certainly works to keep the sheep away from any kind of perceived wrongdoing. Instead of visualizing all the steps that must take place between a possibly infringing act, and the pronouncement of a court they immediately assume that a minimal act will certainly subject them to the most severe statutory penalties.