RE: New US Bill re. Copyright/Federal Funding

[Linda Hopkins <lin.hopkins@hotmail.com>]

Dear Ann and others on the list:

You ask:  but how does this bill "protect the rights of authors" 
who don't seem here to be > complaining about a loss of rights?

Ann - it is standard publishing industry practice to pretend to 
assert protection for authors because that appears to make the 
fight more idealistic.

But as you suggest the publishing industry simply wants to put 
the federal government in the position of paying for the 
information at least twice - once in order to develop the 
information and then again to be able to read about what the 
findings were that they funded.  Now, to be fair, it is the job 
of the publishing industry to be concerned about the needs or 
best interests of the country (government).

Unfortunately, in my opinion, our government today simply acts as 
order clerk(s) for lobbyists and instead of standing up for 
distribution of scientific knowledge to the public - the 
government will no doubt take its payoff and let the publishers 
control the release of the writings.  There is an argument to be 
made in support of the bill too.  I just object to the publishing 
industry trying to act like David when they really are Goliath.

I worked as an advisor to the Office of the President of the 
United States under President Clinton.  During that time, we were 
trying to expand government funded research to the public and the 
scientific communities.  So, perhaps I'm biased.

Linda K. Hopkins
Attorney at Law
Intelliware Int'l Law Firm
449 South Owasso Boulevard West
Roseville, MN  55113
Phone: 651-481-0177
Email: lin.hopkins@hotmail.com