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The American Library Association Seeks Nominations for the
L. Ray Patterson Copyright Award: In Support of Users' Rights
ALA seeks nominations for the L. Ray Patterson Copyright Award: In Support of Users' Rights of those who have made significant and consistent contributions to the pursuit of balanced copyright principles while working in the area of academia, law, politics, public policy, libraries or library education. While the standing of this award was well established through its namesake and first awardee, the continued prestige of the award depends on the quality of nominations received from our members and the public.
The L. Ray Patterson Copyright Award: In Support of Users' Rights honors deserving individuals or groups who embody the spirit of the U.S. Copyright law as voiced by the framers of our Constitution: "to advance the knowledge of science and useful arts" (U.S. Constitution, art 1, sec 8). Nominees for the Patterson Award are persons who follow and draw attention to the fundamental tenets established by Congress when drafting the U.S. Copyright law:
* The creation of new knowledge and the arts are encouraged;
* The creation and dissemination of knowledge is the purpose of copyright;
* Congress is granted the power to encourage creation of new works, but only via a very specific method, by granting authors and inventors exclusive rights;
* The exclusive rights granted should be for a limited time;
* Authors and inventors can benefit financially from copyright but this is a side effect of encouraging the dissemination of knowledge, and not the direct intent of copyright; and
* The rights of authors and inventors are granted by Congress and are not intrinsic or natural.
L. Ray Patterson was a foremost legal thinker, writer and practitioner who championed users' rights. He was a pioneer who to drew attention to the restrictive nature of aggressive enforcement, new interpretations and unnecessary expansions of copyright law. By acknowledging those who follow in his footsteps we celebrate his life accomplishments and contributions for library users in particular.
Please send letters of nomination outlining a candidate's qualifications for this esteemed award to [email protected] or to L. Ray Patterson Award Nominations, P.O. Box 1863, Auburn, AL 36831-1863. Letters of nomination will be accepted through December 1, 2004.
The L. Ray Patterson Copyright Award is awarded annually. Nominations will be reviewed by an award jury consisting of ALA members. Recipients will be awarded during the ALA Annual Conference. Nominees for this award need not be limited to librarians.
For questions or concerns, please contact Claudette Tennant, consultant to the Office for Information Technology Policy: [email protected] or 334-707-9309.
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