The Internet

Digital technology and electronic networks make global piracy likely. The law provides the copyright owner with the exclusive right to reproduce, display work publicly, or permit someone else to reproduce copyrighted works. But individuals can post a copy of an article to a bulletin board or archive where anyone can download it. A published article can ordinarily be resold by the author, but once posted online, it is free to all.

In 1995, the New York Times began a policy of assuming the rights to freelance work in all formats for all times without additional compensation. The Authors Guild, the American Society of Journalists and Authors, and the National Writers Union joined forces to fight rights-grabbing contracts. In 1995, the Author's Registry was created, with over 50,000 writers, 95 literary agencies and 30 groups aligned to establish a new and convenient way for publishers to pay for electronic rights.

Senator John Ashcroft of Missouri has introduced legislation that addresses copyright issues raised by the Internet. His legislation would create a take-down notice procedure for handling materials that infringe copyright. But copyright is not simply a U. S. problem. The World Intellectual Property Organization created the WIPO Copyright Treaty and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty in 1996 to address these issues throughout the international community. The treaties have been submitted to the U.S. Senate for ratification and are under consideration.