Discusses technological developments in information distribution and management in relation to concepts of ownership. A historical overview of the concept of copyright is presented; licensing elements for databases are examined; and implications for gateway systems are explored, including ownership, identification of users, and allowable uses of…

Discusses expected future developments in full text databases (FTDs) in three main areas: host-based menu-driven systems; menu and front end interfaces on gateway and mailbox services; and microcomputer or front end computer-based systems which already have good retrieval interactions and input output processing features. (24 references)…

Describes the MenUSE (Menu-based User Search Engine) retrieval system for multilingual database searching and reviews the status of other similar projects funded by the European Communities Commission. A Japanese-English version of MenUSE is explained, including its use of HyperCard software. (LRW)