AALL Washington Affairs: Action Alert, May 12, 1998

CALL YOUR REPS TODAY
May 12, 1998

The House of Representatives has scheduled debate and a floor vote late today on H.R. 2652, the "Collection of Information Antipiracy Act" that would give new protections for databases and the compilations of factual content that they contain. AALL, other library and educational associations, the scientific community, many publishing entities and phone companies have all opposed this measure that will stifle the public's ability to access and use factual information and public domain data.

A two-thirds House vote is needed to pass this measure that contains no fair use exceptions, other than to "browse" a work for the purpose of buying it for your library. AALL believes that there is no data supporting the need for this very broad legislation that will have many adverse implications for researchers, educators and students.

Please call your Representative IMMEDIATELY, asking to speak with the staff member who covers copyright issues, and urge them to vote NO on H.R. 2652 when it reaches the House floor later today. Your Representative can be reached through the Capitol Switchboard at 202/225-3121.

For more information, please see AALL's March letter opposing H.R. 2652 that was sent to Chairman Henry J. Hyde and members of the House Judiciary Committee.

Thank you,

Bob Oakley
AALL Washington Affairs Representative