Re: SciFinder Scholar Contract (fwd)

[Joe Kraus <jokraus@du.edu>]

Hello,

The Univ. of Denver is considering getting CAS's SciFinder Scholar
product.  However, even before we can trial the database and the interface
for 30 days, we need to sign a contract agreement with them before the
trial.  After talking with the CAS rep - Christopher Faine - I learned
that we could not sign two agreements, one for the trial, and then one for
the paid license.  (Maybe it is more of a case for the CAS to /strongly
prefer/ one contract?)  Once we sign a contract for the trial, it would
presumably be the same contract for the license, thus we could not make
any changes.

I do not see how it makes sense for us to involve our lawyer to look at
the legal wording of a contract BEFORE a decision on purchase is made.  I
would want our lawyer to make any necessary changes to the contract AFTER
the University has made a decision to purchase.  But, I guess that CAS
will not allow such changes.

I know that other institutions can't divulge the details of their contract
agreements with the CAS, but I would like to know how others have dealt
with similar situations - whether from the CAS or not.

I usually do not concern myself with vendor contracts, so I don't
know if this is typical of the CAS. (ie. We must sign a contract BEFORE
agreeing to purchase.)  I do know that many other science info vendors are
much more open to giving 30 day trials without making you sign a contract
first.  

Do I have any alternatives?  Any thoughts - ideas?

Thanks,

Joe
________________________________________________________________
Joseph R. Kraus   Science Librarian   Penrose Library   
Univ. of Denver   2150 E. Evans       Denver, CO 80208
(303) 871-4586    jokraus@du.edu      http://www.du.edu/~jokraus