Re: copyright and course reserves

From: Bob Stock <bstock[_at_]ucla.edu>
Date: Sat, 10 Oct 1998 08:27:31 -0700

On 10/9/98, Leah Gadzikowski <lrgadz01[_at_]gwise.louisville.edu> wrote:
>
> This question came up in conversation with some other reserve staff
> members this afternoon and I would like some input. If an instructor
> obtains permission to copy an article and use it as part of a course
> pak, does that permission expire? As an example, if permission is
> obtained, and the article placed on course reserve for a semester,
> does the instructor need to get permission to place the same, physical
> article on reserve again the next semester, or would permission only
> be needed for additional copies?

To me this is a contract not a copyright question. The instructor apparently received a license to copy the copyright owner's work. The scope of that license would be determined by its terms. If there is a dispute about the meaning of the terms, or a term is omitted, that dispute would have to be resolved in the usual ways contract disputes are resolved. It would be better for the instructor to (a) get permission in writing (oral permissions are such a nuisance) and (b) nail down the scope of the permission as much as possible. These two suggestions are good for *most* potential contracts. Except in Hollywood, where the only issue is during which lunch course do you orally discuss which terms.

---

Bob Stock <bstock[_at_]ucla.edu>
UCLA School of Law '98
http://www.geocities.com/Paris/1206/

---

Received on Sat Oct 10 1998 - 15:25:43 GMT