RE: Query Re Library Responsibility for Library Patrons' Use

[Karl Bridges <Karl.Bridges@uvm.edu>]

I think a rough analogy to this is photocopiers.  In most 
libraries there is a posting of the appropriate legal wording 
regarding copyright and that's that.  If someone violates that 
it's their responsibility not the library's.  (and I realize that 
some schools do require everything to go through a copy centre 
and really enforce this more).  In any event, I think people (and 
publishers) are generally reasonable in accepting that there are 
limits on what we can do in regards to user behaviour. People do 
what they want. It's curious to me why publishers would even try 
to get such language in a contract when it seems that most 
libraries immediately get it changed or removed.  I'd be 
interested in seeing a posting from a publisher who has this 
clause who could explain their reasoning.


Quoting Jill Taylor-Roe <Jill.Taylor-Roe@newcastle.ac.uk>:

> I would echo Rick's response on this one - If there are any 
> licence clauses I feel uncomfortable about signing up to, I 
> usually run them past a very helpful contact in our Law School, 
> and if he thinks the terms are excessive, he will often suggest 
> an alternative wording which we then pursue with the 
> publisher/vendor.  We are usually able to reach an 
> accommodation that suits both parties. We are particularly wary 
> about indemnity clauses which imply that we accept 
> responsibility for things we clearly have no control over.
>
> regards.
> Jill Taylor-Roe
>
> ________________________________
>
> From: owner-liblicense-l@lists.yale.edu on behalf of Rick Anderson
> Sent: Sat 24/02/2007 15:55
> To: liblicense-l@lists.yale.edu
> Subject: RE: Query Re Library Responsibility for Library Patrons' Use
>
>> Have any of you encountered this statement or a similar one?
>> How did you handle it? Thanks for your help.
>
> I've encountered it several times, and it's always been a walking
> point for us -- there's no way we would agree to license terms
> that hold the library institutionally responsible for end-user
> behavior.  The library will accept responsibility for what it's
> capable of doing: informing end-users about the terms, doing what
> it can to prevent a breach of license terms, and acting quickly
> to cure a breach if it occurs.  But to accept institutional
> responsibility for what patrons do would be insanity.
>
> In my experience, it's very rare that a publisher fails to see
> reason on this issue when it's clearly (and firmly) explained. In
> ten years of license negotiation, I think I've walked away from
> one deal over this issue.
>
> ---
> Rick Anderson
> Dir. of Resource Acquisition
> University of Nevada, Reno Libraries
> rickand@unr.ed
>



--=20
Karl Bridges
Associate Professor
Information and Instruction Services
Bailey Howe Library
University of Vermont
538 Main St.
Burlington, VT  05405
802-656-8132
karl.bridges@uvm.edu <mailto:karl.bridges@uvm.edu>




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