Examines legal issues important to the library and information sector of the European Union. Discusses European Commission directives on length of copyright term, software, renting and lending, and database copyright. Reports on the Magill case on copyright in, and abuse of dominant position by, the copyright owners of television listings.…

Presents some guidelines and strategies that college professors who feel that they have been victims of discrimination should consider before they decide to pursue litigation. Exhausting internal appeals, gathering evidence carefully, and looking critically at one's goals are advocated. (SLD)

Legislators in over a dozen states have approved or are considering restrictions on what can be transmitted by computer. Legal scholars feel this could seriously affect network use, and that colleges and universities could face conflicting regulations in a medium transcending legal jurisdictions. Supporters feel the laws are needed to protect…

Supreme Court has delineated three-step test to First Amendment cases brought by public employees, including tenured and nontenured teachers' academic freedom cases. Is teacher's conduct "protected expression" that concerns public issue without unduly rocking boat? If so, is protected expression the motivation behind district's adverse…

Provides an overview of legal issues related to licensing entertainment rights for multimedia source materials, including the grant of rights clause, copyright ownership, territory and languages, term provision, specifications, approvals/controls, royalties, guilds, bankruptcies, termination of the license, and confidentiality. Common mistakes…

Students and employees are legally protected against sexual harassment, regardless of the perpetrator's age or status. Although caution is needed when responding to complaints, school leaders should avoid making backroom deals with staff members accused of molestation or improper sexual conduct. All school community members need information and…

Presents a definition matching exercise for students. Offers a list of 20 law-related terms and accompanying definitions. (SG)

Reviews current legal interpretations regarding discipline of handicapped students. Proposes a model for fostering compliance with legal mandates when considering disciplinary procedures for such students. Principals should employ behavior management options (such as time-out techniques, use of school counseling and social workers, in-school…

Presents activities for teaching high school students about the freedom of religion. Includes student handouts that explain basic constitutional principles and summarize leading U.S. Supreme Court cases concerning religious liberty. Encourages teachers to invite students to speculate on the future relationship of religion and public education. (SG)

Superintendents face a no-win proposition when confronting attempted school board takeovers by religious-fundamentalist candidates. Public political disagreement may be a legitimate ground for a superintendent's dismissal. The safest course is to work quietly behind the scenes and encourage others to question candidates' qualifications and…

This paper shares observations concerning special educators' encounters with the legal system and offers considerations for deciding on a school system's response to legal action against it. School systems are encouraged to take a proactive stance and to mediate, communicate, collaborate, remediate, document, calculate, contemplate, investigate,…

Reviews recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions on school choice. Finds little doubt as to the basic constitutionality of a properly designed choice program. (SR)

Playground safety is a critical issue in the United States. About 60-70% of all playground injury lawsuits carry a claim relating to inadequate maintenance. The article discusses U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission guidelines and American Society for Testing and Materials safety standards for playgrounds. (SM)

Provides tips for decreasing liability, containing costs, and promoting smooth operation of special education transportation. Schools need to review wheelchair transportation procedures, length of bus rides, arrival times, integration of special needs students on regular routes, driver training documentation, record keeping, transportation, staff…

Teaching ethical values is often challenged as an infringement on students' religious rights. This article addresses key questions concerning schools' legal responsibilities, courts' treatment of curriculum-related challenges based on alleged First Amendment violations, and courts' handling of teacher proselytizing or "opting out" cases.…