[Web4lib] Public Computers and iTunes

[KWolf114 at aol.com]

In a message dated 4/22/2007 12:14:29 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
web4lib-request at webjunction.org writes:

Although  librarians must adhere to the fair use rule, doesn't allowing 
patrons to rip  music bring up issues of digital rights management, copyright, and  
intellectual property?  While patrons should be allowed to check out or  use 
material in the library without problems, by allowing them to "copy" music  
without paying for the privilege of owning it, isn't  this contributing to the 
overwhelming problem of piracy (whether  software, music, or video)?  
Intellectual freedom may be of the greatest  importance, but I do not believe that this 
is such an issue.  Will the  music companies bring legal action to bear upon 
libraries who offer iTunes  content that patrons copy and rip onto their own 
machines?  Have  libraries really been given the right to buy iTunes content, 
download onto  library computers, and allow patrons rights to download the 
content an  unlimited number of times?
Karen Wolf
 
 



************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.