Other Copyright Matters
LCA Releases Issue Brief on Streaming of Films for Educational Purposes
On February 19, 2010, the Library Copyright Alliance (LCA) released an issue brief that reviews the legal status of streaming entire films to students located outside of physical classrooms. The discussion was prompted by recent news of a disagreement between the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and a media equipment trade association over the streaming of films to students as part of an online courseware system. Read Issue Brief [PDF]LCA Joins Letter on "Piracy"
On July 6, 2009, the Library Copyright Alliance submitted a letter to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations to voice concern over the use of the term "piracy" in Section 328 of H.R. 2410, the Foreign Relations Authorization Act. Read letter [PDF]LCA Submits Comments to the Copyright Office on the Visually Disabled
On April 28, 2009, the Library Copyright Alliance submitted comments in response to the Notice of Inquiry (NOI) published by the Copyright Office in the Federal Register on March 25, 2009, on the topic of facilitating access to copyrighted works for the blind or persons with other disabilities. Read paper [PDF]ALA and ARL Submit Letter to President on Future Appointments
On April 2, 2009, members of the Library Copyright Alliance joined public interest groups, library associations, and trade associations to urge President Obama to increase the balance in appointments to intellectual property policy positions and to create offices devoted to promoting innovation and free expression within the relevant agencies. Read letter [PDF]ALA and ARL Write Letter Urging Denial of CNN v. Cablevision
On March 17, 2009, the American Library Association and the Association of Research Libraries joined other nonprofits and industry associations in voicing support for the Solicitor General in advising the Supreme court against granting certiorari in the case of CNN v. Cablevision. Read letter [PDF]LCA Members Release Balanced Copyright Innovation Agenda
In December 2008, members of the Library Copyright Alliance joined other organizations in releasing a set of agenda items to urge the Administration to safeguard the copyright balance and protect the right to innovate in order to ensure the vitality of the information-driven economy. Read letter [PDF]LCA Creates A Pro-Library Copyright Agenda
In December 2008, the Library Copyright Alliance released a set of agenda items focused on the goals of LCA in regard to copyright issues that have a significant effect on the services libraries provide to their users, as well as fostering global access to information for creative, research, and educational uses. Read agenda [PDF]LCA Supports Opening an Investigation by the FTC on Consumer Deception
In August 2007 the Library Copyright Alliance wrote a letter to Deborah Platt Majoras, Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), in strong support of a request for an investigation and complaint for injunctive relief filed by the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA). The CCIA filed a FTC complaint on behalf of consumers against Major League Baseball, the National Football League, NBC/Universal and several other corporations. CCIA alleges that the named corporations have misled consumers for years, often misrepresenting their rights through deceptive and threatening statements. The false and misleading copyright warnings provided by publishers and motion picture distributors confuse library patrons and interfere with libraries fulfilling their mission.
Read LCA Letter [PDF]
Read Full Complaint [PDF]
Read CCIA Article
Read Wall Street Journal Article
- LCA Statement on "Fair Use: Its Effects on Consumers and Industry"
On November 16, 2005, Prudence S. Adler gave a statement on behalf of the LCA in a Hearing on "Fair Use: Its Effects on Consumers and Industry.” The statement was presented to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection, U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Energy and Commerce. Fair use is central to libraries ability to achieve many facets of their missions. Libraries are essential to the communities that they serve and to our Nation. Libraries preserve and provide access to our cultural, historical and scientific heritage; support and encourage research, education and lifelong learning; and provide a venue for community engagement on a host of issues. Read Statement [PDF]