27-10-2012, 01:33 PM
Electronic Information Management and Intellectual Property Rights
ABSTRACT
The paper examines the concept of ‘digital is different’ or not as the case may be and how and if digital publications are
different from their paper counterparts. The concept of copyright in a digital age is explored and various different
interpretations of the concept and its application discussed. The linguistic problems of using words from a paper-based
environment will be considered and such basic words as ‘copyright’, ‘copy’, ‘author’, ‘publisher’ and ‘user’ are put in a new
context. Ideas such as databases, fair use and exceptions are explored in their relationship to technological measures to control
copyright material by owners. Technological devices to control access to copyright material are explained using examples
from the CITED, COPYSMART, IMPRIMATUR, and COPYCAT projects of the European Union. Mechanisms such as
fingerprinting, watermarking and stamping are compared from a user/owner point of view rather than as detailed technology.
The impact of the latest EU directive on copyright and the information society is explained in detail and the complexities of
implementing this directive in different legal regimes and cultural environments will be drawn out.