Date: Fri, 11 Aug 2000 21:05:49 -0400
Subject: Re: Thesis for Sale/UMI and US context


I have a question about this whole problem. In the past, UMI provided paper
copies of dissertations and M.A. theses deposited with them at about the
same cost (US$60) that this new company is charging. Since UMI has sold its
rights in the business, is there any reason to oppose this, given that no
one opposed it when UMI did the same? I'm assuming that the only people
interested in purchasing theses are doing research themselves, and want to
be able to use a paper copy, easier to deal with than microfiche, since most
people don't have readers at home. If people are purchasing said theses in
order to pass them off as their own, then I would bring legal action.
Otherwise, I wonder if the company isn't simply continuing UMI's business of
making theses available to the interested public. 
Cheers, Lisa


----------
>From: Elizabeth Deloughrey <emd23-AT-cornell.edu>
>To: postcolonial-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu
>Subject: Thesis for Sale/UMI and US context
>Date: Fri, Aug 11, 2000, 4:10 PM
>

>Hi Folks
>
>I consulted 2 librarians for the US context. Here are their responses:
>
>>Contentville has some big backers - there was an artilce about it in the
>New Yorker a few weeks ago ,although the article apparently hasnt been
>indexed yet because I cant find the citation.
>
>Apparently they have made deals with ingram (a big book distirbutor), Bell
>and Howell and a few of the other huge corporations that own the rights to
>published stuff.  (Bell and Howell owns UMI who microfilms all the
>dissertations.  And sells them, btw)
>
>
>>This may refer to a joint project underway between UMI and the Library of 
>Congressm-- it was mentioned in a NYTimes spread in the "Circuits" section 
>a couple of weeks ago.  As its been explained to us, traditional copyright 
>and royalty distribution regulations are being observed for electronic 
>publications.  We'll be discussing this within my department (Collection 
>Development) this fall;  I'll keep you posted on what I learn.
>
>
>
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