Laura-
One of the good guys in legal publishing, Hein, mentions in its FAQ's at
http://heinonline.org/HeinDocs/frequently_asked_questions.htm that it is
discussing with AALS and AALL the possibility of turning the Hein-On-Line
database over to one or both of them in the event that it should go out of
business. It doesn't mention what would happen if Hein is eventually
purchased by another company.
These FAQ's are not dated, so it is not clear whether these discussions
continue or have concluded.
I have included the Hein text below.
What if the Hein Company goes out of business? What will happen to
Hein-On-Line?
This question often comes up from those libraries considering the disposal
of some or all of their paper or microfilm titles that are included in
Hein-On-Line. Of course, there are no intentions for Hein to go out of
business. However, we can understand the concerns of our customers, and
have opened dialog with both AALS and AALL to turn over the Hein-On-Line
database in the unlikely event of something happening to the Hein Company.
Rest assured that Hein would never simply abandon Hein-On-Line without
making an appropriate alternative available to the subscribers.
Susan
Susan Lewis-Somers
American University, Washington College of Law Library
4801 Massachusetts Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20016-8087
slewis@wcl.american.edu
(202) 274-4330 fax-(202) 274-4365
At 08:45 AM 9/20/02 -0700, Laura Orr wrote:
>One of the sticking points for those of us converting from print to online
>is what I call that "point of no return". It is that moment when one becomes
>totally beholden to the database for access to critical law library
>resources. It is a frustration librarians have been clenching their teeth
>over for years, which is what happens if the database goes under, gains
>total monopoly power, or sells to a company with no vested interest in the
>quality of the content or service to customers. We are left with no access,
>no book, no nuttin', to put it bluntly. (see also old joke below in P.S.)
>
>Within T.R.'s and Margi's review of Casemaker on LLRX.com (and a review well
>worth reading!) is a very interesting section on Casemaker licenses that
>made me realize I've not been crazy all along for feeling cheated when
>database companies give us licenses for access and not an assignment of
>interest or ownership. And I not infrequently get irritated with our
>librarian (not just law) and the legal community for allowing this to occur.
>(I'll not burden you with the reasons I believe this happens :-)
>
>from: http://www.llrx.com/features/casemaker.htm
>
> "Should Lawriter, L.L.C. fail, the Bar Associations would be given
>their state library database which they could maintain or use to their
>benefit. Should Lawriter, L.L.C. decide to sell their online library (which
>Mr. Shea assures us is not his intention), each Bar Association would
>receive a portion of the sale price based on a formula described in their
>contracts."
>
>Not to make them even more of a target than they already are, but if
>Casemaker succeeds in its endeavor, could they possibly be the wedge that
>breaks open the solid and stolid assumption that we can't have ownership? Of
>course, we have to stand firm with and behind them, wouldn't we?
>
>Does anyone know of other databases that offer an ownership interest and not
>just access?
>
>Laura
>
>P.S. The position database owners are in reminds me of the old joke about
>the brothel madam who is musing philosophically about her profession: "Vat a
>business! You got it, you sell it, and you still got it."
>
>
>Laura J. Orr
>Law Librarian
>Washington County Law Library
>111 NE Lincoln Street
>Hillsboro, OR 97124
>
>Phone: 503-846-8880
>Fax: 503-846-3515
>Email: laura_orr@co.washington.or.us
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