Re: Ah, wonderful copyright

> From: Next generation catalogs for libraries
> [mailto:NGC4LIB <at> LISTSERV.ND.EDU] On Behalf Of K.G. Schneider
> Sent: 27 April, 2007 11:14
> To: NGC4LIB <at> LISTSERV.ND.EDU
> Subject: Re: [NGC4LIB] Ah, wonderful copyright
>
> > I don't believe that OCLC ever claimed copyright on *any*
> individual
> > MARC record entered or batch loaded by member libraries.  OCLC, I
> > believe, claims copyright on the aggregation of MARC records that
> > comprise WorldCat.
>
> I'm unclear about OCLC's nonprofit structure, but if it is
> truly a "member organization," then one of two things could
> possibly-possibly be possible:
>
> * The records could belong to the members, period, or
>
> * The member's council could choose to vote to give anyone
> access to the records-OCLC members, non-OCLC members, etc.
>
> Pondering nonprofitland, I'm also wondering if those records
> are considered OCLC's inventory.

OCLC's nonprofit status doesn't have anything to do with any
claims of copyright.  The two are disjoint.  Since OCLC is a
membership organization it is recognized by the U.S. government
as a nonprofit which has certain tax implications for the
membership.  There are other criteria, that OCLC meets, other
than being a membership organization, for them to be considered
a nonprofit by the U.S. government.

The records in WorldCat are part of the cooperative and belong
to the membership.  At least that's my understanding.  Members
council could do whatever they wish in regard to fees, access,
membership, etc. at the direction of the membership.  Members
can vote and have a say in the cooperative and the issues they
bring to members council determine the direction OCLC takes.

As I mentioned before, members have a say in the matters of
the cooperative.  If they don't like the direction then they
have a right to organize and bring the issues before members
council so they can be considered.

Andy.