MUALA motions on AUCC/Access Copyright model license deal & Library and Archives Canada

Communication

The following motions were passed at MUALA’s AGM of May 14, 2012:

Regarding the AUCC/Access Copyright model license, and McMaster University’s stated intention to sign on to the model license deal:

  • Whereas a balanced approach to copyright, in which the interests of creators and users of literary and artistic works receive equal recognition, is in the fundamental interest of society;
  • And whereas Access Copyright has proposed an unbalanced tariff before the Copyright Board of Canada to cover the reproduction of copyrighted works at post-secondary institutions that imposes unreasonable fees, restrictions and surveillance on the university and college community;
  • And whereas AUCC and Access Copyright have entered into a model copyright licensing agreement for the reproduction and use of works at post-secondary institutions that substantially resembles the tariff before the Copyright Board of Canada;
  • And whereas AUCC has withdrawn its objections to the proposed Access Copyright tariff before the Copyright Board of Canada;

Be it resolved:

  • THAT MUALA condemns the failure of AUCC to represent the interests of the academic community with respect to copyright generally and Access Copyright in particular; and
  • THAT MUALA urges McMaster University to reconsider their intention to enter into the model AUCC/Access Copyright licensing agreement and instead to build a better system of knowledge creation and sharing based on fair dealing, open access publishing, open access course material and site licensing.

Regarding the Library and Archives Canada situation:

  • Whereas Library and Archives Canada is a crucial national institution which acquires and preserves documents relevant to Canada’s cultural and historical heritage;
  • Whereas Library and Archives Canada has a mandate to collect, preserve and make public a unified national collection;
  • Whereas services and resources of LAC are used by a large and diverse group including the general public, librarians, historians, professional writers, students, genealogists, Aboriginal communities, as well as researchers and scholars from virtually every discipline;
  • Whereas current management at Library and Archives Canada has implemented changes that are having far-reaching implications; including reduced public access, decentralization of the national collection, elimination of specialist positions, and reduced acquisitions; and,
  • Whereas the Canadian Association of University Teachers has launched a campaign to “Save Library and Archives Canada” (www.savelibraryarchives.ca) which calls for clarification in the LAC mandate, adequate funding, restoration of acquisitions and public services, and the cessation of defragmentation of the national collection;

Be it resolved:

  • THAT MUALA endorses the Save Library and Archives Canada campaign.
  • THAT MUALA circulates materials and the savelibraryarchives.ca website.
  • THAT MUALA members be encouraged to send letters to Heritage Minister James Moore through the campaign website.
  • THAT MUALA will send a letter to Heritage Minister James Moore.