NEW INTERPRETATION OF DIGITAL-COPYRIGHT PROVISION DISAPPOINTS
SCHOLARS
Scholars conducting research at the Library of Congress will not
be able to override the mechanisms protecting copyrighted
material online, a new library rule states. The rule, as
approved by Librarian of Congress James H. Billington, expands on
a clause in the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. This clause
had caused some confusion as to when scholars could override
protective mechanisms, and scholars had hoped that the library
would rule that the clause allows the free download of
copyrighted materials for scholarly pursuits. The scholars were
disappointed when the Library of Congress instead found that the
clause allows scholars to override online copyright protection
only for databases with blocking mechanisms that do not work and
for lists of sites that are obstructed by software filters.
Scholars say the library's decision only reinforces copyright
holders' stranglehold on the Internet, promoting their financial
concerns over scholarly interests. However, several supporters
of the rule say it would benefit scholars by making copyright
holders more likely to place content on the Internet.
(Chronicle of Higher Education Online, 31 October 2000)