American Society of Plant Biologists not for Research Works Act - January 31, 2012
The American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB) has stated that it does not endorse the Research Works Act (RWA; H.R. 3699), which was introduced into the US Congress late last year. If the RWA were to become law, it would essentially repeal the National Institutes of… Read More
ARL releases Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for Academic and Research Libraries - January 27, 2012
The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) has announced the release of the Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for Academic and Research Libraries. The Code is described as a clear and easy-to-use statement of fair and reasonable approaches to fair use developed by and for… Read More
NPG, Digital Science, Palgrave express concerns over SOPA and PIPA - January 19, 2012
Publishers Nature Publishing Group (NPG), Digital Science and Palgrave have issued a joint statement on the proposed Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and Protect IP Act (PIPA) legislations in the US. NPG, Digital Science and Palgrave provide a range of publications, information and digital services to… Read More
NISO releases updated draft of SERU: A Shared Electronic Resource Understanding for public comment - January 9, 2012
The National Information Standards Organization (NISO) has announced the availability of a draft update of SERU: A Shared Electronic Resource Understanding for public comment (NISO RP-7-201X) through February 19, 2012. The SERU framework provides a set of common understandings for parties to reference as an alternative… Read More
British Library set to launch its International Non-Commercial Document Supply service - December 22, 2011
The Publishers Licensing Society (PLS) has agreed an extension of the Copyright Licensing Agency (CLA) Document Delivery Licence with the British Library that allows the licensed supply of articles to overseas non-commercial end-users via overseas not-for-profit libraries at a special fixed rate. The British Library… Read More
US Senators seek investigation into Google’s search results - December 20, 2011
US Senators Herb Kohl and Mike Lee are reportedly urging the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate whether Internet search services provider Google, Inc., US, unfairly favours its own properties in search results. Kohl and Lee, both members of the Senate’s… Read More
British Library welcomes IPO consultation on the Hargreaves Review of Intellectual Property - December 15, 2011
The British Library, the national library of the UK, has welcomed the consultation (professional section) issued by the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) which calls for evidence to inform the impact assessment of the Hargreaves Review of Intellectual Property. The British Library's submission to the Hargreaves… Read More
UNESCO endorses IFLA Manifesto for Digital Libraries - December 14, 2011
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has endorsed the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) Manifesto for Digital Libraries at its General Conference 2011. The Manifesto provides principles to assist libraries in undertaking sustainable and interoperable digitisation activities to bridge the… Read More
Book Industry Study Group announces new Policy Statement on Best Practices for Identifying Digital Products - December 8, 2011
The Book Industry Study Group (BISG) has announced the publication of a new Policy Statement detailing best practices for assigning ISBNs to digital products. Developed over the past 18 months within BISG's Identification Committee, BISG Policy Statement POL-1101 addresses the critical need to reduce product identification… Read More
PSP signs document delivery agreement with British Library - December 2, 2011
The Executive Council of the Professional and Scholarly Publishing Division (PSP), Association of American Publishers (AAP), has endorsed a new cross-border licensed document delivery service for educational uses developed by the British Library. Launching January 1, 2012, the International Non-Commercial Document… Read More
