Commonsense Copyright: A Guide for Educators and Librarians

VOYA - Voya Reviews

This second edition of a work originally published in 1986 tackles the recent developments in technology and revisits important topics in copyright laws. The book begins with a primer on general copyright terms and guidelines before developing into a resource that is applicable both to general and more specialized audiences such as educators and librarians. Each chapter focuses on a particular medium of information and explains the laws pertaining to that medium and to different categories of users. The materials discussed include print, computers, electronic publishing, distance education, and audiovisual. One very useful feature of this resource is the use of real-world examples at the end of each chapter. A short explanation of the laws that might apply and a definitive answer of whether this particular behavior falls within the defined guidelines accompany the examples. The second half of this book is devoted to other copyright resources, including addresses to governmental offices, print materials, and a comprehensive list of online resources. Appendixes include some tabular presentations of information; sample permission forms; guidelines for instructing others in copyright law; and excerpts from important copyright documents. This excellent resource will be useful to anyone confused about copyright issues or for those simply needing some new information about copyright in a world of emerging technologies. Index. Source Notes. Further Reading. Appendix. 1999, McFarland, Ages Adult, 292p, $39.95. Reviewer: Heather Hepler

Library Journal

This new and updated edition of Talab's Commonsense Copyright (1986) highlights recent copyright legislation and the impact of current copyright protection on new technologies. The text includes an entire section on "Computer-Based Systems" detailing copyright and electronic publishing, educational multimedia, distance learning, and the Internet and World Wide Web. The accurate, well-organized guide describes the legal and ethical "fair use" of copyrighted materials and provides the librarian and the educator with an excellent resource for dealing with current copyright issues. Talab's discussion of "fair use" balances the rights of an author with the rights of libraries, archives, and nonprofit educational institutions to duplicate copyrighted print and nonprint materials. An associate professor of education at Kansas State University, Talab has served twice as chairperson of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology's copyright committee. Recommended for all professional collections.--MaryAnn Kitchens, Dallas P.L. Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

Booknews

Presents information updated as of the end of 1998 regarding the Copyright Act as currently amended, covering copyright as it applies to a variety of settings, with numerous usage examples and guideline charts, presented in an easy-to-use format with "legalese" reserved for footnotes. Features sections on the use of copyrighted materials, permission policies, libraries and copyrighted materials, and new technology issues such as computer software, electronic publishing, the Internet, multimedia, and distance learning. Includes 40 pages of electronic, print, and multimedia resources, and some 70 pages of sample guidelines, documents, and lesson plans. Talab is associate professor of education at Kansas State University and a writer and lecturer on copyright issues. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)