[Videolib] Public performance rights question

Susan Albrecht (albrechs@wabash.edu)
Mon, 20 Sep 2004 14:13:42 -0500

>Susan:
>But what does it matter? It's the way copyright law is written, period.
>Whether an individual thinks it's right that the heirs (or coporate
>cronies) of an artist deserve the profit is a moot point. I mean, you can
>always lobby the legislature to revise the copyright laws, but this is
>just life.
>
>Susan Albrecht
>
>Bryan:
>Well, sure, if you want to be fatalistic about it, of course we don't have
>to do anything and we can simply accept things the way they are. I would
>argue that that stance is how this law got the way it is, though. Aren't we
>as librarians supposed to be activists in these intellectual pursuits and
>try to effect change to our (and, more to the point, our patrons') benefit?

No, I'm not fatalistic, just not sure this is the issue upon which we are
called to act. So, *if* we believe that action is more important that
rewarding the person (and heirs) whose work has been copyrighted, yes, we
should act. I just don't think that is a given position for all librarians.

Disliking Disney for its practices, I understand. Wanting to alter
copyright protections, which would "get" Disney but also all other
copyright holders, I don't.

Susan

Susan Albrecht
Acquisitions Coordinator
Wabash College Lilly Library
Crawfordsville, IN
x6216
albrechs@wabash.edu

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"If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice."--Neil Peart
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