Joho the Blog » Brazilian librarians

"he question of copyright seems to weigh heavily on just about everyone’s mind. (Keep in mind, of course, the self-selection of those with whom I have talked.) Copyright is only perceived as an obstacle if you are intent on maximizing access to the works of human intellect and creativity. If you are afraid of what open access means, then copyright looks like a bulwark. But, if you are confident that we together — with the invaluable aid of librarians, among others — can overall steer ourselves right, then the current copyright regime looks like a fear-based reaction. It is no coincidence (if my limited encounters are anything like typical) that Brazil has been a leader in trying to get some measure of sanity back into the balance of authorial rights and public access...."