An analysis of the copyright protection of works in libraries; a case study of the National Library of Iran as the authoritative institution of Iranian libraries

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Assistant Professor/ National library and archives of iran

10.30481/lis.2023.419051.2100

Abstract

Purpose: The present research was conducted with the aim of examining and analyzing the role of preservation of works in Iranian libraries, and specifically, the National Library of Iran as an authority among Iranian libraries.
Method: The current research is practical in terms of its purpose and was conducted with a qualitative research approach. The method of documentary analysis was suitable for the current research. Therefore, 36 selected national, academic, medical sciences, public and digital libraries inside and outside Iran were investigated and in some cases through e-mail and communication with libraries, the desired information received. Also, in data analysis, primary, secondary and classification coding has been used.
Findings: The analysis of data from the research and open coding indicates that 116 primary codes, 188 conceptual codes, 227 categories and 5 classes were obtained. The analysis of data from the research and open coding indicates that 116 primary codes, 188 conceptual codes, 227 categories and 5 classes were obtained. The findings of the research show that the solutions and recommended policies of copyright in libraries can be classified into five classes. The moral and economic; non-profit use, license and agreement, fair use and violation of copyright are the most important in the development of copyright policy of printed and digital resources in libraries.
Results: The libraries can provide legal and authorized services to users by having a copyright policy and a legal framework. Also, libraries can use the solutions proposed in the current research, such as creating the "rights and access" field in library software, using permission to access certain resources, and using technical control measures. Copy and access to protect the intellectual rights of the owners of the works, use the form "copyright registration of works", create a copyright office/office and the like to provide proper services to the users and protect the rights of the creators. In addition, it is suggested to the legislators to prioritize the approval of the bill of literary and artistic property rights and related rights, which has been compiled since 2005. This bill has tried to resolve some of the ambiguities in The Iranian Law for the Protection of Authors, Composers and Artists Rights (1970), and to resolve some ambiguities related to libraries and its exceptions. Also, the ratification of the Marrakesh Treaty, which Iran has accepted since 2014, can take a small step in providing optimal services to the target users of the treaty. Because this is the only treaty that has paid attention to the access of the mentioned groups to the resources by considering the author's right.

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