In this issue ...

1.  Library and Archives Associations Support Public Access
2.  Library Associations Issue Joint Statement on Cheney Decision
3.  GPO Ranking Survey
4.  Freedom to Read Amendment Defeated
5.  Libraries Support H.R. 107, Digital Media Consumers’ Rights Act
6.  Library Associations Support GPO 2005 Budget
7.  SLA Issues Statement Regarding Open Access
8.  Public Access Comments Given to GPO
9.  Statement on the Nomination Archivist of the United States
10. US Bill Seeks to Stop Copyright Abuses
11. Ireland Argues about Copyright of James Joyce
12. Canadian Copyright Proposal Deemed too Harsh by CLA
13. Open Access Provided to Italian Cancer Research
14. Canadian Supreme Court Clarifies Copyright Law

Library and Archives Associations Support the National Geographic Society In New York Court in Support of Public Access
On June 28, six library and archives associations, including SLA, filed an amicus curiae brief in Faulkner v. National Geographic Society, a case that has major implications for projects that involve retrospective digitization of print versions of scholarly materials and public access to those materials.  In the brief, the associations state that "the decision will … have profound consequences for the library and archival communities and those who use collective works."  Press release.  Full amicus curiae.

Library Associations Issue Joint Statement on Cheney Decision
U.S. Library Associations have issued a joint statement.  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.

GPO Ranking Survey
The Government Printing Office recently conducted a survey to identify priority titles for digitization from the historical government documents collections located in Federal depository libraries. The ranking survey will be open from June 23, 2004 through July 23, 2004. Everyone is encouraged to participate in this ranking survey; however, the results will be tallied differently for Federal depository libraries and other participants. Each participant may select and rank up to ten titles for digitization, based on personal experience and perceived local or national need. The recommended titles have been compiled and are now available for ranking at: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/legacy/priorities/index.html

Freedom to Read Amendment Defeated
The Freedom to Read Amendment was defeated on July 8.  The defeat came after House leadership held the vote open for more than double the time usually allotted. The amendment would have barred the Justice Department from using any appropriated money to search bookstore and library records using Section 215 of the PATRIOT Act.  News article.

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 users and those of copyright owners -- a balance that is essential to the future conduct of research and education in the digital age.  H.R Statement.

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. Senate and House of Representatives Subcommittees on Legislative Branch Appropriations  in support of the  FY 2005 appropriations for the Government Printing Office and the Superintendent of Documents Salaries and Expenses.  View Letters.

SLA Issues Statement Regarding Open Access
Open Access (generally defined as free online access to scientific information) is a hot issue, and it is evoking reactions both negative and positive. Several groups reaffirmed their commitment to innovative and independent publishing practices and to promoting the wide dissemination of information in scientific journals via new Open Access models.   SLA has traditionally stood slightly apart from other organizations on access to information and pricing, supporting accessible information, but not necessarily without cost. It has become apparent, however, that mergers and bundling practices have made a great deal of this crucial information financially unattainable for many organizations. http://www.sla.org/content/SLA/advocacy/OpenAccess.cfm

Public Access Comments Given to GPO
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.

Statement on the Nomination Archivist of the United States
Numerous organizations, including SLA, voiced their concern for the sudden announcement on April 8, 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.

US Bill Seeks to Stop Copyright Abuses
A forthcoming bill in the U.S. Senate would, if passed, dramatically reshape copyright law by prohibiting file-trading networks and some consumer electronics devices on the grounds that they could be used for unlawful purposes.

The proposal, called the Induce Act, says "whoever intentionally induces any violation" of copyright law would be legally liable for those violations, a prohibition that would effectively ban file-swapping networks.
http://management.silicon.com/government/0,39024677,39121479,00.htm

Ireland Argues about Copyright of James Joyce
The Irish government has stepped into a row between the Irish National Library and the estate of James Joyce, which was threatening to disrupt a festival to celebrate the centenary of the Bloomsday – the day depicted in Joyce’s novel Ulysses.
Read more.

Canadian Copyright Proposal Deemed too Harsh by CLA
If the government accepts recommendations put before it by the House of Commons Canadian Heritage Report on Copyright Reform, the music recording industry's efforts to toughen copyright laws might also enrich foreign corporations and impoverish academic researchers, librarians say. The recommendations, said Canadian Library Association executive director Don Butcher, would "hobble our researchers and put them at a disadvantage with their counterparts in other countries." Read more.

Open Access Provided to Italian Cancer Research
Alleanza contro il cancro (ACC - Alliance Against Cancer) has purchased BioMed Central membership for nine oncology institutes in Italy. The membership agreement covers the cost of publication in BioMed Central's 100+ Open Access journals for all researchers at ACC institutes. ACC institutions employ over 1,200 physicians, and produce more than 1,350 articles a year that are published in domestic and international scientific journals. BioMed Central is optimistic that many of these articles will now be published in its Open Access journals - making the research immediately and freely available for anyone to use, reuse, or redistribute. Read more.

Canadian Supreme Court Clarifies Copyright Law
"In the recent and unanimous decision of the Supreme Court of Canada -- CCH Canada v. Law Society of Upper Canada -- Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin clarified a number of important issues for copyright law in Canada. While it dealt with copying in a law library, the principles discussed in the decision could affect issues surrounding such things as music downloading, computer software and compilations such as phone or business directories." Read more.