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Access Copyright's 1300% Tariff Increase - Deadline to Object is August 11, 2010

By Michael Geist

Howard Knopf has a must-read post on the Access Copyright proposed tariff that would increase costs by 1300% over the current rate.  The proposal is for $45 per university student, which would potential cost universities (and taxpayers) millions of dollars.  The cost for college students is $35 per student.  While the increase in costs will understandably capture the attention of the university administrators and students, it is Access Copyright's circumvention of copyright law that I find most notable. The tariff purports to licence linking to materials, despite the fact that no licence is or should be needed for such activities.  It charges for displays which are not copies, lacks an exclusion for fair dealing (as is found in the current tariff), provides additional protection for digital locks, and features extensive, onerous reporting requirements. 

You can learn more from Sam Trosow's detailed presentation on the tariff proposal and its implications. The Canadian Library Association has posted its objection to the tariff, which includes its concerns.  Knopf notes that anyone can file an objection by emailing gilles.mcdougall@cb-cda.gc.ca with the following information:

• Indicate who you are and generally and why you are objecting - i.e. if you think that the amount sought is excessive and exorbitant, that AC is seeking to license rights it doesn't have in respect of repertoire it doesn't have, etc.
• You don't need any detail. Details come much, much later. Anything much longer than one or two pages is longer than necessary at this stage. And it won't have any effect on the outcome. The objection is simply a necessary step to full participation.
• Provide your full contact information.

The deadline to participate in this week - Wednesday, August 11, 2010.

Full post as published by Michael Geist on August 09, 2010 (boomark / email).