Re: [ARSCLIST] MP3 bit rates and usage factors for Web pages

["Marie Azile O'Connell" <marie.oconnell@xxxxxxx>]

Ofcourse I agree with allowing students and researchers access to audio and
manuscripts for the purposes of learning and gaining knowledge.  But, there are
some unscrupulous people out there who will use any tactic to get access to
copyrighted material and use it for their own personal/company commercial
gain.

I recall an incident back in New Zealand where we had 2 researchers coming in
frequently, researching a particular case that was about to got to court. 
These people were found, in one of our studios, which they had been set up in,
recording the audio they were listening to.  Needless to say, the device was
confiscated from them and they were banned from Sound Archives.

Sometimes being generous just doesn't work with such people.

Cheers

Marie O'Connell
Sound Archivist/Sound Engineer/Sound Consultant
Center for Oral History & Cultural Heritage
University of Southern Mississippi
Phone: 601-266-6514
Mobile: 601-329-6911




Quoting Mwcpc6@xxxxxxx:

> In a message dated 12/1/2005 9:02:52 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
> marie.oconnell@xxxxxxx writes:
> My instinct has been to give
> a very short excerpt of audio, with text, but to keep out the 'prized' part
> of
> the audio that the person really wants.  If they want it badly enough, then
> they will have to get in touch with the company, University and pay for it!
> ****************
> 
> I suppose it depends on the purpose of maintaining an archive; of preserving
> 
> historical materials at all. If it is regarded as a valuable collection and 
> potential revenue source, certainly access must be restricted. With present
> day 
> technology, once it is out of the vault, it can be everywhere.
> 
> However if the purpose is to preserve and spread knowledge, then the 
> propagation and free distribution of the material is serving the purpose.
> 
> Knowledge must be force fed to most people. That is why school attendance is
> 
> required by law. Money to do this is generally provided by taxes and private
> 
> grants. More and more institutions are putting their materials online as part
> 
> of their fundamental mandate.
> 
> One danger in commercializing an archive is that people with special 
> interests in a political or technical will be quite willing to pay a
> substantial 
> amount for an excerpt to use in a documentary supporting their cause. If
> access to 
> the original documents is restricted, there is no opportunity for the public
> 
> to see the context of the excerpt or study associated materials.
> 
> Perhaps the best compromise is something like the relationship between the 
> Prelinger Archive and Getty Images 
> http://www.panix.com/~footage/prelarch.html
> 
> Of course this requires a certain culture of both generosity and honesty to 
> work.
> 
> Mike Csontos
>