James,
Many thanks for your response. We are fast approaching a time when we need
to confront and hopefully resolve these issues.
There is a clear balance to be struck between the provision of access to
culture as a basic right of citizenship (as in the case of the public
library card) and the need to sustain and increase activity for the
long-term.
Museums have seen unprecedented levels of public investment in the past
decade, but due to the constraints of project funding this has tended to be
focussed on short-term outcomes-driven initiatives at the expense of
long-term infrastructural ones.
The economics underpinning the delivery of cultural services in the UK are
complex and opaque. Broadly, however, the fundamental challenge is that
there isn't enough public money to make all content free at the point of
use, but the economics of trying to commercialise it on an ad-hoc basis
don't stack up either.
For me, the answer is likely to lie in licensing. Through licensing, we can
define certain audiences, uses and types of content and decide whether they
are a 'commercial' or 'non-commercial' proposition. As a blunt example, a
schoolchild should be able to use a picture from the BM for her homework,
but a publisher should pay to include it in a for-sale publication. It's
about working out how the value chain works and exactly where we fit within
it. The important thing is not to throw baby and bathwater out onto the Web
and hope it all turns out ok.
This debate is actively happening in a number of other areas. MDA works with
an IP Advisory Committee which includes players from both the 'commercial'
and 'non-commercial' worlds in an attempt to resolve some of these tensions.
We are also participating in the EU 'MILE' project - the next stage of which
is to start to address copyright issues in cultural content.
All best,
Nick
Nick Poole
Chief Executive
MDA
The Spectrum Building
The Michael Young Centre
Purbeck Road
Cambridge
CB2 2PD
Tel 01223 415 760
www.mda.org.uk
www.collectionslink.org.uk
www.culturalpropertyadvice.gov.uk
MDA (Europe) Ltd. Registered company number 13000565.
-----Original Message-----
From: Museums Computer Group [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of J
Martin
Sent: 03 September 2007 01:27
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: MDA launches Intellectual Property Manifesto for Museums
Hi,
Aside from pointing out that ideas don't get "used up" when shared, unlike
physical objects, I'll keep this reply "real".
Some thoughts / questions / concerns I have are:
We've largely adopted free admission policies for the bulk of cultural
heritage institutions in the UK. IMHO this is great and consistent with
maximising cultural enrichment and learning for all. Clearly that leaves a
potential funding gap for many institutions. That said, it would, again
IMHO, be a mistake to rely too heavily on e.g., licensing copyrighted
material that we hold in trust for the people for funding especially when
applied to non-commercial entities as this would be detrimental to
maximising access for all.
Even whether / when to protect the integrity of reproductions of
copyrighted material or not can be the subject of intensely polarised
debate.
Other issues such as trademark protection (including electronic resources)
are usually straightforward by comparison.
Anyway, I welcome the production of the Manifesto and such involved issues
being discussed / addressed.
Regards,
James
On Sun, 2 Sep 2007, Tehmina Goskar wrote:
> Date: Sun, 2 Sep 2007 20:44:16 +0100
> From: Tehmina Goskar <[log in to unmask]>
> Reply-To: Museums Computer Group <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [MCG] MDA launches Intellectual Property Manifesto for
Museums
>
> As many wise Greek has pointed out, all property was once theft. Pick
> the bones out of that one.
>
> Tehmina
>
> On 02/09/07, Nick Poole <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>> Hi James,
>>
>> Treading softly here since there is absolutely no point getting into the
>> highly solipsistic debate about the nature of property - the phrase
>> 'Intellectual Property' can and should be used, irrespective of your
>> concerns about issues of principle.
>>
>> It has long since moved into common parlance and is a useful and
pragmatic
>> shorthand for an important area of professional practice and legislation.
>>
>> I have long been familiar with this debate on the related Wikipedia
pages.
>> They present a very politicised and polarised set of arguments - albeit
>> under the cover of balance and impartiality - and I am not convinced that
>> they are all that useful in this context.
>>
>> Ultimately, sometimes language moves on to the point at which there is no
>> longer anything you can do about it.
>>
>> Why do I have this feeling that I am going to regret this post?
>>
>> Best regards,
>>
>> Nick
>>
>> Nick Poole
>> Chief Executive
>> MDA
>> The Spectrum Building
>> The Michael Young Centre
>> Purbeck Road
>> Cambridge
>> CB2 2PD
>>
>> Tel 01223 415 760
>>
>> www.mda.org.uk
>> www.collectionslink.org.uk
>> www.culturalpropertyadvice.gov.uk
>>
>> MDA (Europe) Ltd. Registered company number 13000565.
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Museums Computer Group [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of J
>> Martin
>> Sent: 01 September 2007 11:31
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: Re: MDA launches Intellectual Property Manifesto for Museums
>>
>> Hi,
>>
>> The phrase "Intellectual Property" is legally meaningless and should not
>> be used. It is a term that has been pushed by WIPO over the past quarter
>> century to attempt to shift perceptions towards equating ownership of
>> ideas with ownership of things. See
>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intellectual_property for more details.
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> James
>>
>> On Fri, 31 Aug 2007, Naomi Korn wrote:
>>
>>> Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2007 18:57:14 +0100
>>> From: Naomi Korn <[log in to unmask]>
>>> Reply-To: Museums Computer Group <[log in to unmask]>
>>> To: [log in to unmask]
>>> Subject: [MCG] MDA launches Intellectual Property Manifesto for Museums
>>>
>>> Apologies for cross postings
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Naomi Korn
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> IP Consultant
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> [log in to unmask]
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> www.naomikorn.com <http://www.naomikorn.com/>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> (020) 8886 1764
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> 07957 761 032
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _____
>>>
>>> From: Naomi Korn [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
>>> Sent: 31 August 2007 18:52
>>> To: [log in to unmask]
>>> Subject: MDA launches Intellectual Property Manifesto for Museums
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> graphic
>>>
>>> PRESS RELEASE
>>>
>>> MDA launches Intellectual Property Manifesto for Museums
>>>
>>> MDA - a leading provider of copyright and intellectual property (IP)
>> advice
>>> and training to museums - has announced the publication of an
Intellectual
>>> Property Manifesto for collections.
>>>
>>> The Manifesto aims to increase understanding of the relationship between
>> IP
>>> issues and best practice in the management of museum collections. It
sets
>>> out MDA's priorities for delivering services which will best enable
>> museums
>>> to take advantage of the commercial, creative and educational
>> opportunities
>>> presented by effective management of their IP. Planned activities
include
>>> the development of standards, training courses and new resources;
lobbying
>>> for changes in legislation; and working in partnership with Government
and
>>> other key stakeholders from across the cultural heritage sector.
>>>
>>> Meanwhile, members of MDA's Intellectual Property Advisory Committee -
an
>>> independent expert panel of leading figures from the legal, publishing
>> and
>>> picture library industries - are meeting today with representatives from
>> the
>>> UK Intellectual Property Office. Among the subjects for discussion will
be
>>> 'orphan works' and the process of due diligence, and how these issues
>> impact
>>> on the core collections care activities of museums.
>>>
>>> Naomi Korn, MDA Intellectual Property Officer, commented, 'By working in
>>> collaboration with organisations both within and beyond the heritage
>> sector,
>>> MDA is seeking new ways to help museums deliver effective services to
the
>>> public through the management of copyright and other related rights. The
>>> launch of the Manifesto and the work of the Advisory Committee give us a
>>> voice in influencing the strategic development of copyright in the UK on
>>> behalf of the museums community.'
>>>
>>> To download a copy of the Intellectual Property Manifesto, and for
further
>>> advice and information on intellectual property issues, please visit:
>>>
>>> www.collectionslink.org.uk/get_to_grips_with_copyright
>>> <http://www.collectionslink.org.uk/get_to_grips_with_copyright>
>>> <http://www.collectionslink.org.uk/get_to_grips_with_copyright>
>>>
>>> ##
>>>
>>> Notes for Editors
>>>
>>> MDA is the UK's focus for standards, expertise and advice in the
>>> professional management of collections, and a leading organisation in
the
>>> provision of intellectual property support to the sector. www.mda.org.uk
>>> <http://www.mda.org.uk> <http://www.mda.org.uk>
>>>
>>> MDA's Intellectual Property Manifesto for Museums is available to
download
>>> free from: www.collectionslink.org.uk/get_to_grips_with_copyright
>>> <http://www.collectionslink.org.uk/get_to_grips_with_copyright>
>>> <http://www.collectionslink.org.uk/get_to_grips_with_copyright>
>>>
>>> The MDA IP Advisory Committee was created to establish a position
>> statement
>>> on IP and collections, and to instruct the future development of MDA's
>> work
>>> on IP and rights management. Members include representatives from the
>>> Bridgeman Art Library, DACS (Design and Artists Copyright Society), the
>>> Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA), the British Library,
BAPLA
>>> (British Association of Picture Libraries and Agencies), Finers Stephens
>>> Innocent LLP, CILIP (Chartered Institute of Library and Information
>>> Professionals), Museums Copyright Group, the National Portrait Gallery,
>>> Farrer & Co LLP, the Libraries and Archives Copyright Alliance (LACA)
and
>>> the Strategic Content Alliance.
>>>
>>> For further information about the work of MDA, or to interview Nick
Poole,
>>> MDA Chief Executive, contact [log in to unmask] or telephone 01223
415760.
>>>
>>> MDA is supported by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA).
>>> www.mla.gov.uk <http://www.mla.gov.uk> <http://www.mla.gov.uk>
>>>
>>> -- Ends --
>>>
>>> Eleanor Lovegrove
>>> Marketing Officer
>>> [log in to unmask]
>>>
>>> MDA, The Spectrum Building, The Michael Young Centre, Purbeck Road
>>> Cambridge CB2 2PD Tel: 01223 415760 Fax: 01223 415960
>>> www.mda.org.uk
>>>
>>> Scanned by MailDefender - managed email security from intY -
>>> www.maildefender.net
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _____
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> **************************************************
>>> For mcg information and to manage your subscription to the list, visit
the
>> website at http://www.museumscomputergroup.org.uk
>>> **************************************************
>>>
>>
>> --
>>
>> "Where do you want to SCO today?"
>>
>> [log in to unmask]
>> SDF-EU Public Access UNIX System - http://sdf-eu.org
>>
>> **************************************************
>> For mcg information and to manage your subscription to the list, visit
the
>> website at http://www.museumscomputergroup.org.uk
>> **************************************************
>>
>> **************************************************
>> For mcg information and to manage your subscription to the list, visit
the website at http://www.museumscomputergroup.org.uk
>> **************************************************
>>
>
> **************************************************
> For mcg information and to manage your subscription to the list, visit the
website at http://www.museumscomputergroup.org.uk
> **************************************************
>
--
"Where do you want to SCO today?"
[log in to unmask]
SDF-EU Public Access UNIX System - http://sdf-eu.org
**************************************************
For mcg information and to manage your subscription to the list, visit the
website at http://www.museumscomputergroup.org.uk
**************************************************
**************************************************
For mcg information and to manage your subscription to the list, visit the website at http://www.museumscomputergroup.org.uk
**************************************************
|