DIGITAL-COPYRIGHT INTERPRETATION DISAPPOINTS SCHOLARS - Scholars conducting research at the Library of Congress will not be able to override the mechanisms protecting copyrighted material online, a new library rule states. The rule, as approved by Librarian of Congress James H. Billington, expands on a clause in the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. This clause had caused some confusion as to when scholars could override protective mechanisms, and scholars had hoped that the library would rule that the clause allows the free download of copyrighted materials for scholarly pursuits. The scholars were disappointed when the Library of Congress instead found that the clause allows scholars to override online copyright protection only for databases with blocking mechanisms that do not work and for lists of sites that are obstructed by software filters. Scholars say the library's decision only reinforces copyright holders' stranglehold on the Internet, promoting their financial concerns over scholarly interests. However, several supporters of the rule say it would benefit scholars by making copyright holders more likely to place content on the Internet. (Chronicle of Higher Education Online, 31 Oct 00 - Edupage 1 Nov 00)

LIBRARIANS AND DIGITAL COPYRIGHT - Affirmation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act by the Library of Congress, has angered librarians. The DMCA, gives owners of copyrighted digital content control over how that content is accessed. There is particular concern about making certain that the precepts of the "fair use" principle are carried over to the digital age. The Librarian of Congress, James Billington, has recently said that he believes it is very important that the fair-use principle be maintained. He also affirmed that the new legislation affects access, not content use. The ruling most severely impacts students, academics and others performing scholarly research by preventing them from getting around technological protection measures when referring to copyrighted material. (InformationWeek Online, 30 Oct 00)

COMPUTER INDUSTRY AND DIGITAL COPYRIGHT - According to the computer industry, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act is flawed because it would prevent them from creating new technologies and publishing research. The DMCA prohibits the creation/distribution of technologies that would help create access to works and copying of such works. A new provision, not yet in effect, would prohibit circumventing efforts to prevent access to copyrighted works. Critics feel that the law should focus its attention on illegal use of such tools use rather than of circumvention tools. Legitimate uses of circumvention tools would be making personal use or designing software compatible with the controls. Movie and recording industries, strongly support the DMCA, fearing that without these measures, their online property would not be protected. (Interactive Week, 23 Oct 00