2 December 2004
Reply Brief of Petitioners--"Broadcast Flag" in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
Several library groups (including SLA) and others, are challenging a decision by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to require consumer electronics and computer manufacturers to read and obey a "broadcast flag" signal embedded in new digital television signals. Oral Argument is scheduled for February, 2005. What is Broadcast Flag?
Full Reply Brief of Petitions

29 November 2004
ATA Congratulates Congress and NIH
The Alliance for Taxpayer Access, a national coalition of organizations that support enhanced public access to published NIH-funded research, expressed appreciation to Congress for signaling support through the year-end omnibus appropriations bill for the proposed NIH policy. The conference report for this legislation recognized specifically that the policy will make research results more readily accessible to scientists, physicians, and the public. www.taxpayeraccess.org ATA is working with NIH leadership and members of Congress to ensure NIH remains faithful to the proposed six-month to provide access to NIH-funded research. Letter to the National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Zerhouni.

8 October 2004
Senate Consideration of H.R. 4077
SLA, AALL, ARL, and ALA, wrote to the Honorable John McCain, Chairman on the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation regarding H.R. 4077 (the "Piracy Deterrence and Education Act"). The associations requested his assistance in deferring Senate consideration of what is a highly controversial piece of legislation, much of which has been the subject of no hearings in either the House or the Senate. Letter.

5 October 2004
Consumer, Civil Liberties and Library Groups Tell Appeals Court FCC Overstepped Bounds in Broadcast Flag Case
Nine public interest organizations, including SLA, told the U.S. Appeals Court, D.C. Circuit, that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) exceeded its authority by imposing a "broadcast flag" regime for over-the-air digital television. The "flag" is a small amount of data added to a digital TV signal that gives instructions on how the programming may be used by devices other than the TV set. The FCC rules require that all TV sets, computers and other devices capable of directly receiving digital TV signals be required to follow the instructions, which will limit distribution of digital programs. Press Release. Summary. Petition.

27 September 2004
Library Associations Endorse Geneva Declaration on WIPO
SLA, AALL, ARL, and ALA endorsed the Geneva Declaration on the Future of the World Intellectual Property Organization. The Geneva Declaration calls for the development of a new agenda for the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) that recognizes the importance of intellectual property for the future of humanity while stressing the importance of balance in the laws and policies governing such intellectual property. WIPO must move beyond its original agenda of simply protecting intellectual property to develop a new agenda that promotes both international development and establishes new approaches to supporting innovation and creativity. Letter

10 September 2004
Library Associations Support H.R. 4755
SLA, ARL, AALL, ALA, and MLA sent a joint letter in support of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2005 (H.R. 4755). H.R. 4755 provides the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) funding for 16 new positions, which are very specialized and targeted to meet specific needs of the depository library community and the public. Each participating federal depository library makes significant investments to ensure that the public has effective access to government information. Letter

31 August 2004
Library Associations Support to NIH-funded Manuscripts
SLA, ARL, AALL, ALA, and MLA sent a joint letter to Dr. Elias A. Zerhouni, the Director of the National Institutes of Health, in support of the NIH proposal to provide freely available online access to NIH-funded manuscripts via PubMedCentral. Letter.

25 August 2004
Library Organizations Comment on GPO's Planning Document for the Collection of Last Resort (CRL)
SLA, ARL, AALL, and ALA sent a joint letter in support of Government Printing Office's proposed Collection of Last Resort (CLR), and provided comments on the GPO's planning document for the CLR. The letter addressed: " First, the assurance that over time there will be a trusted means to effectively access federal information resources is critically important and long overdue. Secondly, this will greatly expand access to federal information to the public and libraries alike. Third, GPO's collaboration with other agencies, institutions, and partners such as NARA, members of the FDL community and beyond is key to the success of this initiative. And finally, this plan presents new opportunities for libraries to more effectively manage their federal depository library collections.." Comments

28 June 2004
Faulkner v. National Geographic Society Amicus Brief
Several organizations, including SLA, have filed an Amicus Brief in support of the National Geographic Society. The District Court held that Section 201(c) of the Copyright Act (17 U.S.C. §201(c)) confers upon National Geographic the privilege of reproducing and distributing the copyrighted works of freelance contributors as part of a CD-ROM product, The Complete National Geographic ("CNG"). In the CNG, those contributions are perceptibly reproduced and distributed as part of the original collective works, or revisions thereof, in which they first appeared. The District Court decision is therefore consistent with the Copyright Act of 1976, as amended (17 U.S.C. §§101-1332) (the "Act"), and the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in The New York Times Co., Inc. v. Tasini, 533 U.S. 483 (2001) ("Tasini"), where materials were not distributed as part of the original collective works, but were distributed piecemeal. Press ReleaseFull Brief Amicus Curiae. Motion

24 June 2004
Joint Statement Regarding Cheney/ Energy Task Force Decision
While it is disappointing that the Supreme Court declined to take this opportunity to embrace the principle of openness in Cheney v. United States District Court, it is heartening that the Court did not side with the administration, and instead remanded the case to the lower court. Full Statement

22 June 2004
Libraries Support H.R. 107, Digital Media Consumers' Rights Act
SLA and others distributed a statement on Capitol Hill supporting H.R. 107, the Digital Media Consumers' Rights Act. The Act is needed to restore a proper balance in copyright law between the rights of copyright users and the rights of copyright owners -- a balance that is essential to the future conduct of research and education in the digital age.H.R Statement

7 June 2004
Library Associations Support GPO 2005 Budget
Four major library associations, including SLA, sent statements to members of the subcommittee on Legislative Branch, Committee on Appropriations in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives in support of the FY 2005 appropriations for the Government Printing Office and the Superintendent of Documents Salaries and Expenses. GPO FY05 Approps Senate Durbin, GPO FY05 Approps House, GPO FY05 Senate Campbell, GPO FY05 Approps House Moran

12 May 2004
Digital Media Consumers Act Comments
A statement was given on behalf of several library associations, including SLA, on HR 107--the Digital Media Consumers Rights Act. When Congress passed the Digital Millennium Copyright Act in 1998, it provided additional protections for copyright owners, but it omitted corresponding allowances for fair use and other exceptions. Libraries believe that the Digital Media Consumers' Rights Act is needed to redress those changes -- to restore a proper balance in copyright law between the rights of copyright users and the rights of copyright owners -- a balance that is essential to the future conduct of research and education in the digital age. HR 107 Comments. Other news stories are at: http://maccentral.macworld.com/news/2004/05/13/digitalrights/ , http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,116121,00.asp , http://www.newsfactor.com/story.xhtml?story_title=Congress-Mulls-Digital-Copyright-Law-Amendment&story_id=24025

28 April 2004
Comments were given on behalf of several library associations, including SLA, for an oversight hearing on the Government Printing Office. SLA and others have a very strong interest in Federal information policy and a fervent commitment to public access to government information and a robust Federal Depository Library Program (FLIP) in the 21st Century. GPO Oversight Hearing

14 April 2004
Statement on the Nomination Archivist of the United States
Numerous organizations, included SLA, voiced their concern or the sudden announcement on 8 April 2004, that the White House has nominated Allen Weinstein to become the next Archivist of the United States. Prior to the announcement, there was no consultation with professional organizations of archivists or historians. Archivist Nomination

7 April 2004
SLA and Others Submit Comments on Proposed U.S.-Thailand Free Trade Agreement.
SLA and others have submitted comments submitted comments, seeking to ensure that the Thailand FTA will not interfere with the ability of libraries to support education and research. Thailand FTA comments

29 March 2004
SLA and Others Submit Comments on Proposed U.S.-Andean Free Trade Agreement.
SLA and others have submitted comments submitted comments, seeking to ensure that the Andean FTA will not interfere with the ability of libraries to support education and research. Andean FTA comments.

29 March 2004
SLA and Others Submit Comments on Proposed U.S.-Panama Free Trade Agreement.
SLA and others have submitted comments submitted comments, seeking to ensure that the Panama FTA will not interfere with the ability of libraries to support education and research.
PanamaFTA.pdf

11 March 2004
U. S. Supreme Court Asked to Reject the Government's Claim That it May Conduct the Public's Business in Secret.
SLA and Others have Filed an Amicus Curiae (Friends of the Court) Asking the U. S. Supreme Court to Reject the Government's Claim That it May Conduct the Public's Business in Secret. This case concerns public access to information about the makeup of the National Energy Policy Development Group convened by Vice President Cheney in 2001. The case is important to preserving public access to government information under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). Press Release. Full Brief Amicus Curiae.

31 January 2004
Petition to Review "Broadcast Flag" in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Several library groups (including SLA) and others, are challenging a decision by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to require consumer electronics and computer manufacturers to read and obey a "broadcast flag" signal embedded in new digital television signals. What is Broadcast Flag? Read Full Petition.Response to Ashcroft LetterLetter to United States Trade Representative   SLA Objects to Ashcroft's Remarks on Librarians   Letter to PTO Regarding WIPO   SLA Endorses the "Consumers, Schools and Libraries Digital Rights Management Awareness Act of 2003"  SLA and others urge opposition to the "Database and Collections of Information Misappropriation Act"
Piracy Deterrence and Education Act of 2003   U.S.-Chile and U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreements Letter  

7 May 2003
Draft Statement of Work for ERIC.
(FTAA)   Statement on Technological Protection Systems for Digitized Copyrighted Works from Higher Education Asociations and Library Associatons   TEACH-Act Comments   "Comments to the Copyright Office on Exemption to Prohibition on Circumvention of Copyright Protection Systems For Access Control Technologies"   Digital Media Consumers' Rights Act (DMCRA) Letter to the U.S. House of Representatives   Comments on the FAR Amendments Regarding the GPO   Comments before the FCC on the Promulgation of a Broadcast Flag Rule   Library Community Hails Reaffirmation of Fair Use in DMCRA
Nomination of Bruce James to be Public Printer, GoSLA, ARL, and AALL submitted comments to The Honorable Rod Paige, the Secretary of Education, regarding the Draft Statement of Work for ERIC. Letter. You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet: Patriot II on the Way   Statement Supporting The Freedom to Read Protection Act (H.R. 1157)   Comments on the Draft Statement of work for ERIC   Testimony Concerning Internet Filters   Domestic Security Enhancement Act (DSEA)letter to the members of the U.S. Members of Congress   Letter to the U.S. House of Representatives to co-sponsor HR 107, the Digital Media Consumers' Rights Act (DMCRA)   Comments on the Second Draft Consolidated Texts of the Free Trade Area of the America's Agreement vernment Printing OfficeSLA Homeland Security Initiative

$10 Million Librarian Education Initiative
Help SLA Secure $10 million for Librarian Education    

25 August 2004
Library Organizations Comment on GPO's Planning Document for the Collection of Last Resort (CRL)
SLA, ARL, AALL, and ALA sent a joint letter in support of Government Printing Office's proposed Collection of Last Resort (CLR), and provided comments on the GPO's planning document for the CLR. The letter addressed: " First, the assurance that over time there will be a trusted means to effectively access federal information resources is critically important and long overdue. Secondly, this will greatly expand access to federal information to the public and libraries alike. Third, GPO's collaboration with other agencies, institutions, and partners such as NARA, members of the FDL community and beyond is key to the success of this initiative. And finally, this plan presents new opportunities for libraries to more effectively manage their federal depository library collections.." Comments

28 June 2004
Faulkner v. National Geographic Society Amicus Brief
Several organizations, including SLA, have filed an Amicus Brief in support of the National Geographic Society. The District Court held that Section 201(c) of the Copyright Act (17 U.S.C. §201(c)) confers upon National Geographic the privilege of reproducing and distributing the copyrighted works of freelance contributors as part of a CD-ROM product, The Complete National Geographic ("CNG"). In the CNG, those contributions are perceptibly reproduced and distributed as part of the original collective works, or revisions thereof, in which they first appeared. The District Court decision is therefore consistent with the Copyright Act of 1976, as amended (17 U.S.C. §§101-1332) (the "Act"), and the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in The New York Times Co., Inc. v. Tasini, 533 U.S. 483 (2001) ("Tasini"), where materials were not distributed as part of the original collective works, but were distributed piecemeal. Press ReleaseFull Brief Amicus Curiae. Motion

24 June 2004
Joint Statement Regarding Cheney/ Energy Task Force Decision
While it is disappointing that the Supreme Court declined to take this opportunity to embrace the principle of openness in Cheney v. United States District Court, it is heartening that the Court did not side with the administration, and instead remanded the case to the lower court. Full Statement

22 June 2004
Libraries Support H.R. 107, Digital Media Consumers' Rights Act
SLA and others distributed a statement on Capitol Hill supporting H.R. 107, the Digital Media Consumers' Rights Act. The Act is needed to restore a proper balance in copyright law between the rights of copyright users and the rights of copyright owners -- a balance that is essential to the future conduct of research and education in the digital age.H.R Statement

7 June 2004
Library Associations Support GPO 2005 Budget
Four major library associations, including SLA, sent statements to members of the subcommittee on Legislative Branch, Committee on Appropriations in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives in support of the FY 2005 appropriations for the Government Printing Office and the Superintendent of Documents Salaries and Expenses. GPO FY05 Approps Senate Durbin, GPO FY05 Approps House, GPO FY05 Senate Campbell, GPO FY05 Approps House Moran

12 May 2004
Digital Media Consumers Act Comments
A statement was given on behalf of several library associations, including SLA, on HR 107--the Digital Media Consumers Rights Act. When Congress passed the Digital Millennium Copyright Act in 1998, it provided additional protections for copyright owners, but it omitted corresponding allowances for fair use and other exceptions. Libraries believe that the Digital Media Consumers' Rights Act is needed to redress those changes -- to restore a proper balance in copyright law between the rights of copyright users and the rights of copyright owners -- a balance that is essential to the future conduct of research and education in the digital age. HR 107 Comments. Other news stories are at: http://maccentral.macworld.com/news/2004/05/13/digitalrights/ , http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,116121,00.asp , http://www.newsfactor.com/story.xhtml?story_title=Congress-Mulls-Digital-Copyright-Law-Amendment&story_id=24025

28 April 2004
Comments were given on behalf of several library associations, including SLA, for an oversight hearing on the Government Printing Office. SLA and others have a very strong interest in Federal information policy and a fervent commitment to public access to government information and a robust Federal Depository Library Program (FLIP) in the 21st Century. GPO Oversight Hearing

14 April 2004
Statement on the Nomination Archivist of the United States
Numerous organizations, included SLA, voiced their concern or the sudden announcement on 8 April 2004, that the White House has nominated Allen Weinstein to become the next Archivist of the United States. Prior to the announcement, there was no consultation with professional organizations of archivists or historians. Archivist Nomination

7 April 2004
SLA and Others Submit Comments on Proposed U.S.-Thailand Free Trade Agreement.
SLA and others have submitted comments submitted comments, seeking to ensure that the Thailand FTA will not interfere with the ability of libraries to support education and research. Thailand FTA comments

29 March 2004
SLA and Others Submit Comments on Proposed U.S.-Andean Free Trade Agreement.
SLA and others have submitted comments submitted comments, seeking to ensure that the Andean FTA will not interfere with the ability of libraries to support education and research. Andean FTA comments

29 March 2004
SLA and Others Submit Comments on Proposed U.S.-Panama Free Trade Agreement.
SLA and others have submitted comments submitted comments, seeking to ensure that the Panama FTA will not interfere with the ability of libraries to support education and research.
PanamaFTA.pdf

11 March 2004
U. S. Supreme Court Asked to Reject the Governments Claim That it May Conduct the Publics Business in Secret. SLA and Others have Filed an Amicus Curiae (Friends of the Court) Asking the U. S. Supreme Court to Reject the Government's Claim That it May Conduct the Public's Business in Secret. This case concerns public access to information about the makeup of the National Energy Policy Development Group convened by Vice President Cheney in 2001. The case is important to preserving public access to government information under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). Press Release. Full Brief Amicus Curiae.

31 January 2004
Petition to Review "Broadcast Flag" in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Several library groups (including SLA) and others, are challenging a decision by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to require consumer electronics and computer manufacturers to read and obey a "broadcast flag" signal embedded in new digital television signals. What is Broadcast Flag? Read Full Petition.Response to Ashcroft LetterLetter to United States Trade Representative   SLA Objects to Ashcroft's Remarks on Librarians   Letter to PTO Regarding WIPO   SLA Endorses the "Consumers, Schools and Libraries Digital Rights Management Awareness Act of 2003   SLA and others urge opposition to the "Database and Collections of Information Misappropriation Act"
Piracy Deterrence and Education Act of 2003   U.S.-Chile and U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreements Letter  

7 May 2003
Draft Statement of Work for ERIC.
SLA, ARL, and AALL submitted comments to The Honorable Rod Paige, the Secretary of Education, regarding the Draft Statement of Work for ERIC. Letter. You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet: Patriot II on the Way   Statement Supporting The Freedom to Read Protection Act (H.R. 1157)   Comments on the Draft Statement of work for ERIC   Testimony Concerning Internet Filters   Domestic Security Enhancement Act (DSEA)letter to the members of the U.S. Members of Congress   Letter to the U.S. House of Representatives to co-sponsor HR 107, the Digital Media Consumers' Rights Act (DMCRA)   Comments on the Second Draft Consolidated Texts of the Free Trade Area of the America's Agreement (FTAA)   Statement on Technological Protection Systems for Digitized Copyrighted Works from Higher Education Asociations and Library Associatons   TEACH-Act Comments   "Comments to the Copyright Office on Exemption to Prohibition on Circumvention of Copyright Protection Systems For Access Control Technologies"   Digital Media Consumers' Rights Act (DMCRA) Letter to the U.S. House of Representatives   Comments on the FAR Amendments Regarding the GPO   Comments before the FCC on the Promulgation of a Broadcast Flag Rule   Library Community Hails Reaffirmation of Fair Use in DMCRA
Nomination of Bruce James to be Public Printer, Government Printing OfficeSLA Homeland Security Initiative

$10 Million Librarian Education Initiative
Help SLA Secure $10 million for Librarian Education