Dear Law-Libbers,
While wandering in the stacks yesterday, I happened to notice how old
some of our books on copyright and intellectual property are. Since laws
and interpretations have changed over time, I probably need to weed that
section.
My question is where should I draw the line in weeding? Naturally I want
to keep anything that deals with policy, evolution of the law, and
legislative history. However, we have lots of "practical" books that
simply provide guidance and "black-letter" law. Since we don't have a
law school, most of the copyright items are used by our library science
students and by the faculty. They generally want hard answers, to know
"can I do such-and-such legally."
At what point should I deem these "practical" books too old to give
guidance on the 1976 Copyright Act? Before the U.S. joined the Berne
Convention? Before the Digital Millennium Copyright Act or the Sonny
Bono Copyright Extension Act?
Your advice will be appreciated. Thank you in advance.
--Bryan M. Carson
-- Bryan M. Carson, J.D., M.I.L.S. Associate Professor/Coordinator of Reference & Instructional Services Western Kentucky University Libraries Author, "The Law of Libraries and Archives" (Scarecrow Press)1906 College Heights Blvd. #11067 Bowling Green, Kentucky 42101-1067 Phone: 270-745-5007; Fax: 270-745-2275 bryan.carson@wku.edu
All original content copyright 2007 Bryan M. Carson
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