Contact:
Cara Battaglini
+1.703.647.4917
cara@sla.org

Special Libraries Association in Conjunction with the Library Copyright Alliance Strongly Supports H.R. 1201, The FAIR USE Act.

Alexandria, Virginia, USA, March 1 2007 -- Special Libraries Association (SLA) today announced its strong support of the Library Copyright Alliance (LCA) and the Freedom and Innovation Revitalizing U.S. Entrepreneurship (FAIR USE) Act of 2007, H.R. 1201. The FAIR USE Act is co-sponsored by Congressmen Rick Boucher (D-VA), Congresswomen Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Congressman John Doolittle (R-CA).

At the end of 2006, Dr. Billington, the Librarian of Congress, approved six exemptions from the prohibition on circumvention of technological measures contained in section 1201 of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). These exemptions will sunset in three years. The FAIR USE Act makes these six exemptions permanent.

"Two of these exemptions are very important to the academic, research and special librarians," said SLA CEO Janice R. Lachance. "In the past, the SLA community of librarians and information professionals stood in support of these exemptions for screen readers and film clip compilations. The Fair USE Act will ensure these activities, which are an integral part of many SLA members' day-to-day work with their customers and clients, can continue in the future. Further, the Act will go a long way to eliminate the negative effect the DMCA has had on lawful uses, I applaud these Representatives for introducing this important legislation and encourage Congress to pass H.R. 1201," said Lachance.

The FAIR USE Act would also extend the determinations of the Librarian of Congress in six narrow circumstances. For example, the Fair Use Act would extend the film clip exemption to all classrooms instead of just college media studies classes. It would allow access to public domain works, as well as works of substantial public interest as well as permit libraries to circumvent technological protections for the purpose of preservation of works within a collection. Currently, the DMCA interferes with a library's ability to preserve those works The FAIR USE Act will eliminate this obstacle with no harm to copyright owners.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

• Read LCA Press Release.
• Read Congress of the United States House of Representatives Press Release
• Contact SLA Director of PR: Cara Battaglini (+1.703.647.4917) cara@sla.org
• Contact: SLA Chief Policy Officer: Doug Newcomb (+1.703.647.4923) dnewcomb@sla.org

About SLA
The Special Libraries Association (SLA) is a nonprofit global organization for innovative information professionals and their strategic partners. SLA serves more than 12,000 members in 83 countries in the information profession, including corporate, academic and government information specialists. SLA promotes and strengthens its members through learning, advocacy and networking initiatives. http://www.sla.org.