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ERIC Number: ED390396
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1995-Aug
Pages: 37
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Software, Copyright, and Site-License Agreements: Publishers' Perspective of Library Practice.
Happer, Stephanie K.
Thirty-one academic publishers of stand-alone software and book/disk packages were surveyed to determine whether publishers have addressed the copyright issues inherent in circulating these packages within the library environment. Twenty-two questionnaires were returned, providing a 71% return rate. There were 18 usable questionnaires. Publishers were asked about their perceptions regarding the copyright status of the two packages, whether they view the circulation of the materials by libraries as a threat to the products' copyright, and whether they address this issue by offering libraries special site-license agreements for the circulation of both stand-alone software and book/disk packages. They were also questioned as to whether the size of the library market in terms of revenue would have any effect on their decision to create special site-license agreement for libraries. Results indicated that the majority of publishers do not differentiate between these items in terms of copyright status; they perceived the unprotected circulation of software product among library patrons pose a threat to copyright. Eleven respondents viewed the circulation of stand-alone software as a threat regardless of the presence of a site-license agreement; 44% felt that book/disk packages should circulate. It was found that most publishers do offer special site-license agreements for the computer lab market. Generally, it appeared that if libraries were to approach those publishers whose products they buy regularly and show a need for special agreements, publishers would consider working with them. Eight tables present survey information. The questionnaire is included in the appendix. (Contains 12 references.) (AEF)
Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A