Information Technology 

Once-Trustworthy Newspaper Databases have Become Unreliable and Frustrating by Scott Carlson

... Mr. Chen is merely one librarian whose work has been affected by the Tasini case and others like it. Six months ago, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that publishers don't own the rights to online freelance articles. Other copyright battles between freelancers and publishers --Ýsuch as lawsuits between the National Geographic Society and a group of photographers --Ýare also moving through the courts. The publishers have responded by purging freelance articles --Ýsometimes entire newspaper archives --Ýfrom online databases. Almost 20 years' worth of newspaper history, a vital source of information for those studying history, politics, society, the media, and other subjects, is shot through with more holes than a block of Swiss cheese. [read more]

Intellectual Property 

Globalization of Information: Intellectual Property Law Implications by Kim Nayyer

Abstract
The globalization of information, facilitated by the Internet, has significant implications for intellectual property regimes domestically and internationally. Assessment of these implications and their probable outcomes is unavoidably value-driven. Many commentators foresee harmonization of intellectual property laws but some predict disparity in political economy outcomes. Some also see profound effects on sovereignty. A critical review of recent literature on these topics discloses a prevalent and rather persuasive view: that globalization of information and the impact of the Internet tend toward an international standard of strengthened intellectual property laws and the erosion of sovereignty notions, with the economic benefits flowing primarily to developed nations and transnational corporations. The prevalence of this view in the recent literature may reflect an effort to bring less heard voices to the forefront of the discussion. [read more]