Who Owns Academic Work? Battling for Control of Intellectual Property. (Between the Lines).By Corynne McSherry: Harvard University Press The Harvard University Press is a publishing house, a division of Harvard University, that is highly respected in academic publishing. It was established on January 13, 1913. In 2005, it published 220 new titles. , 2001. 275 pp. $29.95 One of the hottest debates in academia is ownership of intellectual property. As universities increasingly ask for a share of patent fights, and companies seek to secure ownership of a professor's online course, many are asking who owns intellectual work and who--if anyone--should be allowed to sell it. Corynne McSherry throws the spotlight on this issue, examining the clash between the cultural "gift" economy of traditional academia and the increasingly litigious litigious adj. referring to a person who constantly brings or prolongs legal actions, particularly when the legal maneuvers are unnecessary or unfounded. Such persons often enjoy legal battles, controversy, the courtroom, the spotlight, use the courts to punish commercial economy. Drawing on law, history, philosophy, and current events, this book is a thorough examination of the roots of a complex debate. From p. 75: "... Academicians are supposed to write for honor, and the academic system of exchange is supposed to be based on the reciprocal and personalized per·son·al·ize tr.v. per·son·al·ized, per·son·al·iz·ing, per·son·al·iz·es 1. To take (a general remark or characterization) in a personal manner. 2. To attribute human or personal qualities to; personify. exchange of gifts rather than the impersonal im·per·son·al adj. 1. Lacking personality; not being a person: an impersonal force. 2. a. Showing no emotion or personality: an aloof, impersonal manner. selling of private property." |
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