At the risk of being controversial, and putting my head above the parapet
probably is inviting the sword of Damoclese, and since I promote a variety
of products which by their vary nature invite the use of scanned electronic
images to facilitate reading, I would suggest that if a student owns a copy
of a book then they should use such software to arrive at an alternative
format.
I fully accept that legally it is not permitted to store electronic images
of any kind but if someone has a reading difficulty and needs to use tools
to get the job of reading done, it will take years to effect changes in
legislation and this is time that the student doesn't have at his/her
disposal.
I'm not advocating that the alternative format provided by the scanning
process should be handed to others in a reckless manner but, if the same
book has been purchased by another student, what is the point of scanning
the same book twice? Once scanned it should be available for another
bona-fide book owner!
We in the UK need to take the lead from the US (although US law is much more
forgiving) where Universities utilise high speed scanners to scan a book in
next-to-no-time and store it for use by the next person who needs the same
book in an alternative format!
Should I promote the process of scanning and storing books? Well, I do and
if taken to task under copyright law I would like to be first at the High
Court because I believe publishers would receive the kind of publicity they
would not like if a person with a reading difficulty cannot get alternative
format material.
Now I'd better retreat behind the drawbridge until the law suit arrives!
Regards
Mervyn
-----Original Message-----
From: Jane Tomlinson [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 23 October 2003 13:03
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Scanners and copyright law
Hi,
Could anyone offer me some advice on the use of scanners in the library for
disabled users. I know the recent copyright legislation allows visually
impaired students to use a scanner in the library but what about other
students such as dyslexic students and students with physical impairments
that need to use a scanner with text read & write software. How are other
Higher Education Libraries getting around the copyright restrictions? Can it
be argued that the DDA part 4 states we need to make reasonable adjustments
and therefore all disabled students should have access to a scanner.
Thanks for your help
Jane
--
Jane Tomlinson
Media Librarian / LLR Disability Rep
London College of Fashion
20 John Princes Street
London
W1M 0BJ
02075147545
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