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Non‐literal copying of factual information: architecture of knowledge

Tamara Eisenschitz (Department of Information Science, City University London, London, UK)

Aslib Proceedings

ISSN: 0001-253X

Article publication date: 12 July 2007

644

Abstract

Purpose

The paper seeks to explore the rights of researchers to use facts gathered from previous authors, even when there are only one or a small number of sources, and also to explore the limits of non‐literal copying of textual materials.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper consists of a conceptual analysis of legislation and cases that illustrate the effects of the law.

Findings

The paper finds that the charge of non‐literal copying of factual literary works is not accepted because of low levels of originality in structure of the material. Public policy based on the needs of scholarship provides a more predictable level of access to the contents of works.

Practical implications

Originality arguments are always open to try again. Only a policy statement will give a degree of certainty.

Originality/value

The paper aids in distinguishing the originality and policy arguments and who benefits from each, and also relates this problem to the more familiar one of the protection of free speech.

Keywords

Citation

Eisenschitz, T. (2007), "Non‐literal copying of factual information: architecture of knowledge", Aslib Proceedings, Vol. 59 No. 4/5, pp. 411-421. https://doi.org/10.1108/00012530710817609

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2007, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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