Re: Who Should Own Scientific Papers?

From: Bert Boyce <lsboyc[_at_]lsuvm.sncc.lsu.edu>
Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 08:13:21 -0500

On 9/18/98, Daniel J. Schaeffer <daniel_schaeffer[_at_]kirkland.com> wrote:
>
> But in my question, the "previous writer" is the same guy. Joe
> Scientist writes a paper in 1997 and SCIENCE publishes it -- acquiring
> by assignment all copyright in the paper. Joe Scientist then does a
> follow-up study and wants to update the original paper with additional
> information. Wouldn't this be a derivative work of the first paper,
> such that Joe Scientist must get permission from SCIENCE to write the
> update?

     Again, I will leave this one to the lawyers, but I will say that this is not likely to be what Joe Scientist does. His incentives are to producing a new paper, which cites, and perhaps quotes his previous work in _Science_ . His employer counts his authorships and citations to his work. The new paper will be new expression and interpetation of new data which also makes use of the previous works ideas, and limited fair use of its expression.

                                        BRB

Bert R. Boyce, Professor & Dean
School of Library & Information Science
Louisiana State University
267 Coates Hall
Baton Rouge, LA 70803

     (504)388-3158
FAX: (504)388-4581
LSBOYC[_at_]LSUVM.sncc.lsu.edu Received on Tue Sep 22 1998 - 13:50:42 GMT