Lets Talk About Copyright

Archivists are often concerned about what copyright and fair use allow them to do. While this is a relevant question, a better one might be what’s wrong with copyright that it generates so much concern and fear. Modern US copyright is about maximizing control for right holders while discouraging sharing and criticism as well as encouraging the need for idea generation. This workshop will discuss the nature of modern copyright law and how archives can encourage new approaches to sharing information within that law. Topics include problematic approaches to acquiring rights, sharing rights with donors, liberally applying fair use, arguments to use with risk-averse counsel, and generally, how to work with the problematic nature of modern US Copyright Law.