shrinkwrap contracts & books

["Heather Morrison" <hmorrison@ola.bc.ca>]

As David C. Marshall points out, the idea of licensing restrictions in
connection with a book is not new.

In fact, the idea of restrictions surrounding the written word are as old
as the written word itself.  Sometimes enforcement of these restrictions
means strict control of who is allowed to learn how to read.  At other
times, these restrictions are controlled by banning, destroying, or
limiting access to written material.

But fortunately the world has not always relied on precedent!

It has taken a few revolutions for ideas like open access and intellectual
freedom to take hold in a few countries - what most of us call the free
world.  The ability to access and share information is one of the most
important reasons why these countries are considered to be free.

The example provided by David C. Marshall would appear to be rather
harmless when applied to an individual book.  However, if many books are
involved, and law libraries can no longer provide needed resources to
people like law students, new lawyers who may not yet be able to afford
every book whose contents might help their clients, and individuals
wanting to research their own legal rights, the impact could be
significant.

a personal opinion by,

Heather Grace Morrison
Project Coordinator
BC Electronic Library Network
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Phone: 604-431-3019 
Toll free: 1-800-663-1663 x3019
Fax: 604-431-3381
Email:  hmorrison@ola.bc.ca
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