Richard Ranft's Page

A 100-page consultation document “Taking Forward the Gowers Review of Intellectual Property: Second Stage Consultation on Copyright Exceptions” has just been published by the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO). Based upon the first stage consultation launched in January 2008 of the Gowers Review of Intellectual Property (2006), it summarises responses and gives recommendations to a series of proposals to change legislation covering copyright exceptions under five headings: (a) educat… Continue

Significant partnership to integrate access to material is welcome news for researchers

The BBC and British Library will today sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), in an innovative approach to make the content and assets of both organisations more widely available.

Managed by a joint steering committee, the MOU seeks to develop new ways of integrating access to nearly a million hours of BBC TV and radio content and over 150 million British Library items - significantly increasing access t… Continue

London, UK
Dates: 2010 May 22 - May 25 (**Note revised dates)
www.aes.org/events/128

The AES 128th Convention Committee invites submission of technical papers for presentation at the 2010 May 20 to 23 meeting in London. By 2009 December 18, a proposed title, 60- to 120-word abstract, and 500- to 750-word précis of the paper must be submitted electronically to the AES 128th proposal submission site at… Continue

"Ownership is for pussies", argues music analyst Bob Lefsetz in an exclamation-ridden blog about music industry marketing and distribution. "You can’t get people to pay first, that’s twentieth century thinking. You give them a taste now, and then get them to pay. Which is why you can listen to so much for free online already. If you’re not making your material available to be listened to online for free, at least in a streaming format, you’re managing your career with your arm behind your back.… Continue

Virtual trenches immerse students in First World War poetry.

With Armistice Day fast approaching a JISC (Joint Information Systems Committee) project team has taken an unusual approach to ensuring that people continue to learn about the First World War.

The First World War Poetry Digital Archive and the Learning Technologies Group at Oxford University have collaborated on an exciting new venture in the 3D virtual world Second Life to simulate areas of the Western Front 1914-18. The team believ… Continue