Hi Mike,

Thanks for this.
We had much the same view here - please find clarification embedded below

Will Murray 
JISC-PAS Service Director

On Wed, 11 Oct 2006 19:44:58 +0100, Mike Reddy <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>OK. I would like to say Yes, however, with a caveat. Adding the Acumen 
database does indeed allow us to feel sure that their work is not abused 
by students, but it also gives them two big payoffs:
>
>1) Their intellectual property is protected for free, as it is likely 
that they (as uploaders) will be the contact should we find matches. 
Alternatively, they can recheck their cannon of work and if they find 
matches, we may be getting emails. Finally, they will again for free be 
able to vet the work of their employees when these model essays are 
commissioned.

Good point. I should have made this clear in the original post.

iParadigms can add content to their database without providing access to 
Turnitin.
The Acumen content would be added to the database by iParadigms by the 
provision of a data feed from Acumen.
Acumen would not have any access to the Turnitin software at any stage.
Therefore they would not be able to check any content for originality (new 
or old) using Turnitin.

>
>2) They (probably fairly) will get a major free marketing boost and 
(again fairly) will be able to stamp JISC PAS all over their web site 
(probably tastefully done as a warning message not to cut and paste). This 
could be worth far more in positive placement than the less strong "Oh, 
I'm not buying it from them, cos I can't steal it"

>
>So, provided that JISC, Northumbria Learning and the community do not 
allow inappropriate endorsement, and recognise that it is not completely 
altruistic, that Acumen are getting quite a good deal from this, then I 
would still say yes. Alternatively, I could be the only decanting voice...

I completely agree with what you say here. We are aware there is a PR 
incentive for Acumen (and perhaps some risk?) in offering to comply to the 
request made at the conference. Any agreement with Acumen would have to 
include a requirement for any endorsements and press releases to be 
approved in advance.

>
>Dr. Mike Reddy, Advocate to the Devil
>
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