http://library.brooklyn.cuny.edu/copyright/2003/copyright.htm
With committee chair and copyright specialist Beth Evans on partial leave, at the start of the spring semester Associate Librarian for Technical Services Judith Wild assumed the chair of the Copyright Committee. Professor Evans continues to contribute to this important group whose members also include Anthony Cucchiara, Miriam Deutch, Mariana Regalado, Sylvie Richards, and Susan Vaughn.
In October of 2003, new decisions in copyright law caused lengthy revisions to the Library's copyright document and CUNY attorney Jane Davis kindly reviewed our work. Next, the copyright position paper was given a live link on the Library Web site. Library Systems staff formatted the material, which looks very impressive. At the same time, the Copyright Committee established an email address so that people from the College community could ask questions of the group. One faculty member asked about his right to post his out-of-print book on his Web site; another wanted information about using excerpts from a published literary work in a commercial film. There were also questions about photocopying for reserves.
The Copyright Committee has clearly exerted its influence on campus: after members of the History department met with them one faculty member dramatically altered his Web site in order to comply with copyright law. The Library itself unexpectedly brushed up against a copyright issue during preparations for the October film showing of The Little Fugitive. We now know that when a public screening is planned, even though the screener owns a copy of the film, permission must be secured from the distributor; in exchange for this privilege, the distributor may well exact a fee.
The recent activities of the big music recording companies have had a chilling effect on the unfettered exchange of music and other non-print formats, causing many institutions to rethink their streaming media projects. As a result, the Copyright Committee is braced for close involvement in the selection of media for the Library's multimedia distribution system, Artesia's TEAMS. Additionally, the Committee is about to begin reviewing actual music listening assignments for copyright compliance. They have enlisted the help of Music chair Nancy Hager. Following the recommendations of the music librarian, they hope to examine the reserves lists of Professors Ray Allen, Dan Sonenberg, and Douglas Cohen.