I was more excited than usual to find a copy of Feliciter in my mailbox today. The topic featured in this issue: Information policy.
Topics like copyright reform, net neutrality, intellectual property and access rights might be complicated, sometimes intimidating, and occasionally dry. However, the issues surrounding these topics are central to librarianship and how resources are disseminated and used, and if misunderstood or abused, can lead to problematic legal ramifications for patrons, librarians and institutions alike. Specifically, these issues effect how things like research is defined (be it for personal or professional gain), what materials are used by faculty in the classroom, how academics go about sharing their published works, what materials can be photocopied or accessed and shared electronically and who is accountable for the misuse of materials under current copyright policies.
To learn more about copyright matters, check out some of the following helpful resources:
- As mentioned, the latest issue of Feliciter Vol. 56 No. 2 (2010) covers lots of topics central to copyright issues.
- Search Engine This podcast, formerly available through the CBC and now hosted by TVOntario, is about how politics and culture is shaping how we in Canada use the Internet. Older podcasts are available for free through iTunes by clicking here. * I’m a big fan of this one!
- Dr. Michael Geist’s blog. Dr. Geist is the Canada Research Chair of Internet and E-commerce Law at the University of Ottawa. His blog provides a great way to stay on top of copyright policy and reform in Canada as well as internationally.
- Canadian Copyright: A Citizen’s Guide. This incredibly accessible text by Laura J. Murray and Samuel E. Trosow is currently on my nightstand and provides a great introduction to copyright in Canada and how it applies to the sharing of information in a variety of mediums and instances.
- Fair Copyright in Canada and Librarians for Fair Access to Content are both Facebook groups that provide lots of information well as access to like minded individuals concerned about copyright matters.
- Good Copy Bad Copy This video deals primarily with music production and piracy, but also addresses broader issues of copyright and culture. * I like this one a lot too.
