Credits: 1

Prerequisite(s): None

Course description

Intellectual Property Issues are challenging for those in information management. The complexity of ownership, reproduction rights, access rights, preservation copies and digital surrogates as well as existing copyright and case law decisions are dissected in this course.

This course addresses the complex weave of variables in context of archival donors, published and unpublished materials, audio-visual formats, orphaned or unknown ownership, patron access and reproduction, licensing, digital surrogates and originals and how to protect collections and access.

Course content

• An in-depth view of the impact of copyright in information management and the  use of materials from every era.
• Overview of evolution of copyright law in America and the global influences on the law.
• Explanation of variables needed to create copyright management procedures in an institution.
• Exposure to pertinent copyright case decisions.
• Expert guest lecturers including lawyers and other professionals sharing in-depth expertise. 

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate understanding of copyright protection and ownership rights.
2. Be confident in their choices for making preservation and access copies of all types of information.
3. Use the terminology of intellectual property correctly.
4. Have in-depth familiarity with pertinent legal cases that affect information managers in cultural institutions and other archives and library centers.
5. Identify on-going issues of copyright protection and free access to information.
6. Be knowledgeable about quality resources to consult regarding intellectual property and specifically copyright, and how it relates to their profession.
7. Understand how to create a smart intellectual property plan for an institution.

Course methodology

Course format and method may include some or all: Lectures, readings, class discussions, oral presentations, guest speaker(s) and, where appropriate, tours of institutions

Bases for evaluation of student performance

Some or all:

1. Research paper
2. Examination
3. Oral Presentation
4. Participation/Discussion

Text

Copyright for Archivists and Records Managers, Facet Publishing, 2014 and/or The Librarian's Copyright Companion, William S. Hein & Co., Inc.; 2 edition, 2012