PRECONFERENCE WORKSHOP 1: Intellectual Property for Internet Researchers

Presenters: Dan Burk, University of Minnesota, USA, and Severine Dusollier, Universitaires Notre-Dame de la Paix Namur, Belgium

Time: 10:00 - 13:00

Place: Mecc Congress Center, Room 2.7 - Maastricht (NL)

Maximum number of participants: 30

Abstract

Internet research is increasingly influenced by laws governing copyright and data ownership. Information seems freely available on the web, but may actually be subject to misunderstood proprietary rights. As demonstrated in recent discussions on air-l and other lists, Internet researchers are frequently confused regarding the permissible use of others' writings or data, the use others may make of their writings or data, publication agreements, and the rights accruing to their employer or institution.

Researchers coping with intellectual property problems often rely on hearsay information from colleagues or listserv acquaintances; much of this information is incomplete or erroneous. Compounding the problem is the international nature of Internet research, which may involve the copyright and data ownership laws of many countries.

This half-day workshop will explore issues of copyright and data ownership in Internet research, with emphasis on the practical problems faced by researchers. Given the interests of the expected audience, the seminar will primarily focus will be on relevant law of the United States and the European Union, together with appropriate discussion of international conventions. The workshop will be conducted in English, however, the presenters also have a good knowledge of French, Dutch, and German. Topics to be covered include: * Copyright basics * Data ownership laws * Employer rights and work for hire * Fair Use and Fair Dealing

Presenters

The workshop will be conducted by intellectual property experts familiar with Internet research and research issues. Professor Dan L. Burk is an internationally prominent authority on intellectual property and cyberlaw, who holds the Julius E. Davis Chair at the University of Minnesota. Professor Severine Dusollier is a Lecturer in Law at the Universitaires Notre-Dame de la Paix Namur (Belgium), and a widely recognized expert on copyright in the European Union.

Further biographical information is available at : http://www.law.umn.edu/FacultyProfiles/BurkD.htm

http://www.droit.fundp.ac.be/cv/sdusollier.html