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The article presents the opinions of four library copyright experts on the expertise that the next Register of Copyrights of the Library of Congress (LC) must possess. Brandon Butler of the University of Virginia suggests that the next register should make the registration system maximally accessible to all using standard Internet tools and protocols. Kyle K. Courtney of Harvard University believes that the Register of Copyrights should promote the useful arts and sciences.

The article focuses on topics discussed during the 2012 American Library Association (ALA) conference in Anaheim, California, including electronic books in libraries, the future of fair use, and virtual reference services. It comments on a seminar by William Kamkwamba, author of the memoir "The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind" on how he self-educated himself after dropping out of school and built a windmill out of scavenged parts. It mentions ALA plans to reduce costs for future conferences.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "The Difference Between Copyright Infringement and Plagiarism--and Why It Matters" by Rick Anderson which appears in a previous issue of the journal and addresses a fair use copyright law-related defense to copyright infringement.

The article focuses on research results from the Computer and Communications Industry Association (CCIA) which suggests that "fair use dependent industries" contributed more than $4.5 trillion in annual revenue to the U.S. in the year 2006, about one-sixth of the country's gross domestic product (GDP). The CCIA is an international association of computer and communications companies. Information is provided for an amendment to the Higher Education Reauthorization Act (HERA).

The article reports that fair use rights are being infringed upon by an increasing use of "cease and desist" letters and "take down" notices for Internet service providers. New York University's Brennan Center for Justice released this news in the report "Will Fair Use Survive?" The reports recommended that more pro bono legal work and legal information be made available to people who cannot afford lawyers to protect their fair use rights.

Announces deep concerns over proposed copyright laws and the future of fair use. Copyright extension legislation; World Intellectual Property Organization treaty; Database protection bill; Universal Commercial Code draft document of `mass market' licenses; Comments from Kenneth D. Crews of Indiana University's School of Law and director of the school's Copyright Management Center.

The article focuses on the loss of Authors Guild, the professional organization for writers in the U.S., in a class-action lawsuit against Google Books, a service from Internet company Google Inc. Topics discussed include the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit states that the certification was premature, University of Maryland's law professor James Grimmelmann, and the fair use of guild members's books.

The article reports that U.S. District Judge Harold Baer Jr. ruled that the mass digitization of books by the digital library of the company HathiTrust was fair use under copyright law in litigation brought by the Authors Guild.

An interview with librarian Sarah Houghton is presented. When asked about digital music in libraries, she commented there wasn't a good solution for digital music in libraries but that the Rdio product from Recorded Books was an effective service model even if too expensive for most libraries. She mentions her belief copyright law will be revised with a fair use exemption of digital content for libraries and talks about the archiving of physical music collections.

The article reports on a study by the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) finding that confusion on how to apply "fair use" copyright law among librarians has led to the outright avoidance of copyrighted material, which impedes library patrons' research and learning needs.

This article reports that a lawsuit between publishing companies and Internet technologies company Google may be approaching a settlement, according to an anonymous source. It is suggested that the parties may have reached a blanket license agreement in an attempt to avoid issues of digital copyright law and fair use boundaries.

This article discusses a lawsuit filed by publishers, including two university presses, against the state of Georgia for copyright infringement in the use of electronic course content at Georgia State University (GSU). The debate over whether electronic resources offered by GSU are covered under the fair use exception of copyright law is noted. The possibility that this case will be settled as several preceding cases have is explored.

The article focuses on U.S. legislation that targets the problem of orphan works. The Shawn Bentley Orphan Works Act of 2008 (S. 2913) was introduced in the Senate and the Orphan Works Act of 2008 (H.R. 5889) in the House of Representatives. Both bills attempt to address the use of works for which the copyright owners identity is unknown by decreasing a user's risk to damages should an owner make their presence known after usage has been made.

The article discusses the plan by Google, Inc. to digitized library materials. Google's competitors, including Microsoft, Yahoo and many publishers received subpoenas for their documents pertaining to copyright, digital rights management schemes and fiscal forecasts. Google claims its controversial scanning plan falls under the "fair use" doctrine of copyright law.

The article discusses the revision to Cornell University's guidelines regarding electronic course reserves. The Association of American Publishers expressed concern over copyright violations and fair-use regulations. Many view Cornell's revision as an act to avoid legal action while others consider it to be an example of professional compromise.

Presents an editorial regarding Google Print for Libraries, Google Incorporated's project to digitize the collections of several U.S. research libraries. Role of Google Print for Libraries in improving access to information; Report that Google plans to digitize content both in the public domain and in copyright held by others; Lawsuit brought against Google by author Herbert Mitgang, author Betty Miles, poet Daniel Hoffman, and the Authors Guild of America; Ability of copyright holders to opt out of the scanning; Claim of Google's Susan Wojcicki that the program is consistent with the fair use provisions of the copyright law.

Focuses on Virginia state representative Rick Boucher's call for Congress to reexamine the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Boucher's opinion that the law should be amended to ensure the continued exercise of fair use rights of libraries and scholastic settings; Statement that library advocates and others in the copyright community feel that the law goes too far.

Reports on a meeting of the electronic book industry titled Changing the Fundamentals of Reading in October 2000. Opinion that the needs of libraries were not taken into account; Release of the Open eBook Forum content formatting standard; Discussion of digital rights management, and how it will impact fair use; Attendance of librarians at the meeting; Questions addressed to speakers regarding formats for free distribution in libraries.

Reports that the American Library Association (ALA) and the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) have submitted written testimony supporting proposed "fair use" amendments to the Copyright Act of 1976. Way that the ALA and ARL requested clarification of the amendments; Statement of ALA lobbyist Carol Henderson that the legislation is pending final form and approval; Observation that the legislation was created in response to decisions of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit which have made it difficult for authors and researchers to quote unpublished materials without obtaining authorization or consent from copyright holders.

Reports that Association of Research Libraries has issued two position papers in defense of the fair use provisions of the Copyright Act of 1976 in the U.S. Fair use in terms of specific minimum numbers of words, copies or works; Criteria relating to the actual use of the photocopies; Actual impact of the copying on the copyright owner's income.

Reports on the Association of American Publishers and the Authors League's issuance of a document that contains their interpretation of how the copyright law affects corporate libraries. Inclusion of competitors doing research in specialized fields; Requirements for special libraries to qualify for 'fair use' exemption according to William North of the Illinois Regional Library Council.

Editorial. Focuses on the conflict between organizations about copyright and fair use issues. Development of supposed 'guidelines' at the 1976 peace conference of the National Commission on New Technological Uses of Copyrighted Works; Speculation on librarians' use of copying machines that violate fair use boundaries; Organizations that have joined the fray regarding the issue.