ACRL News Issue (B) of College & Research Libraries


July/August 1996/445

Washington
Hotline

Lynne E. B ra d le y

Intellectual pro perty
Inter- and intra-industry and 
organization conflicts remain 
significant in the fight over 
legislation intended to “up­
date” the Copyright Act for 
the digital age. At this writ­
ing, it appears that a third 
attempt by the House Sub­
committee on Courts and 
Intellectual Property to con­
sider and vote on HR 2441, 
the administration’s “White 
Paper” package o f propos­
als, may also be postponed 
indefinitely. Most controversial in the bill are
provisions that could, according to many in li­
braries, education, and business, prevent the
manufacture, import, and distribution o f de­
vices, VCRs, and even computers needed to
prevent the exercise o f fair use privileges.

Negotiations also have stalled over how to
assign liability for copyright infringement by
the users o f computer systems, which include
not only popular commercial services, like
America Online, but computer systems oper­
ated by libraries and schools as well.

Latest word from Washington is that even if
the House Subcommittee acts on this increas­
ingly controversial package soon, its prospects
for consideration by the full House remain
speculative at best. Most close to the issue also
would say that it is unlikely a bill like this would
reach the President’s desk this late in the 104th
Congress.

Academic library and higher education sup­
porters interested in participating in the ongo­
ing policy debate should call and fax members
o f the House Subcommittee on Courts and In­
tellectual Property who represent them or their
institutions to say that HR 2441 just is not ready
for Congressional consideration if education and
fair use are to be adequately protected and
potentially expanded in a digital age. Similar
contact with other members o f the full House
Judiciary Committee w ho are not on the sub­
committee would also be useful. ALA has taken
a very active role in establishing the Digital Fu­

Lynne E. Bradley is deputy executive director o f 
ALA’s Washington Office; e-mail: leb@alawash.org. 
The Washington Office now has an 800 number: 
(800) 941-8478.

 

 

 

 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 

tures Coalition (DFC) to ad­
dress critical intellectual 
property issues. It’s a criti­
cal role because ALA is es­
sentially the only voice for 
all types o f libraries advocat­
ing for libraries and library 
sers. The DFC W eb site can 
e found at: http://www. 

ari.net/dfc.

u
b

G o vernm en t 
inform ation
In early April, the Govern­
ment Printing Office (G PO ) 

released a draft report for the “Study to Iden­
tify Measures Necessary for a Successful Tran­
sition to a More Electronic Depository Library 
Program.” After a 60-day public comment pe­
riod, this study and strategic plan was submit­
ted to Congress as a final report in early June. 
Public printer Michael DiMario initiated the 
study at Congressional direction in 1995 to ex­
amine the functions and services o f the Fed­
eral Depository Library Program in a shift to a 
more electronic program.

This current study was the second report 
GPO has prepared on the transition to a sub­
stantially electronic depository program. The 
first report, released in December 1995, as­
sumed a two-year transition to an almost en­
tirely electronic program. When ALA President 
Betty Turock testified before the House Legis­
lative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee on 
March 6, she said a rapid shift to a predomi­
nately electronic system at this time would un­
derm ine the significant progress already 
achieved by depository libraries and GPO in 
enhancing public access through electronic 
technologies.

G PO ’s recently released study responded to 
the concerns o f librarians and others that the 
first transition plan was based on an overly 
ambitious time frame, and GPO is now recom­
mending to Congress a five- to seven-year tran­
sition.

Although long supportive o f a more elec­
tronic program, librarians have continuing con­
cerns such as: shifting costs to libraries and the 
public; using appropriate formats for govern­
ment publications; and long-term permanent 
access and preservation o f electronic files for 
continuing use. ■

http://www
mailto:leb@alawash.org


446/C&RL News