Electronic information management and intellectual property rights

The paper examines the concept of “digital is different” or not as the case may be and how and if digital publications are different from their paper counterparts. The concept of copyright in a digital age is explored and various different interpretations of the concept and its application discussed. The linguistic problems of using words from a paper-based environment will be considered and such basic words as “copyright”, “copy”, “author”, “publisher” and “user” are put in a new context. Ideas such as databases, fair use and exceptions are explored in their relationship to technological measures to control copyright material by owners. Technological devices to control access to copyright material are explained using examples from the CITED, COPYSMART, IMPRIMATUR, and COPYCAT projects of the European Union. Mechanisms such as fingerprinting, watermarking and stamping are compared from a user/owner point of view rather than as detailed technology. The impact of the latest EU directive on copyright and the information society is explained in detail and the complexities of implementing this directive in different legal regimes and cultural environments will be drawn out.