Past ASEEES Conference Programs

2020

52nd ASEEES Annual Convention, Virtual

November 5-8, 2020

Roundtable on "The Dialectic of Cultural Rebellion and Counter-rebellion and the Anxiety It Produces: Copyright Law as a Case Study" (November 7, 2020)

A 20-year industry-influenced “rebellion” against copyright law now faces a counter-rebellion, a “techlash” against what is perceived as the false authority of technology corporations that compromise privacy, human autonomy, and individual rights and, many believe, are ushering in a system of digital totalitarianism. Today’s technology surveillance infrastructure is viewed by some in the context of strategic automated data collection that facilitated atrocities in Central and Eastern Europe in World War II, but its anti-copyright goals are widely promoted under slogans of “fairness” and “social justice.” A war of influence, waged on keyboards and textpads, creates tremendous anxiety on the ground. What role do scholars, educators, and librarians play in this war and are they even aware of the influences acting on them? Will we find a path to new regulations that promote scholarship and cultural heritage apart from a surveillance apparatus and dispossession of rights for the sake of industry profit? The presenters will look at the sway of corporate-influenced rebellion against copyright law and inevitable counter-rebellion, the anxiety it produces in real life, and ways to envision a future in which “openness” does not mean “open for surveillance and for profit extraction.” Is there a new vision?

Participants:

• Patricia Thurston, Yale University, Chair

• Barbara Krupa, Stanford University

• Janice Pilch, Rutgers University

• Mark Yoffe, George Washington University

• Session Manager: James Steffen, Emory University

2019

51st ASEEES Annual Convention, San Francisco

November 23-26, 2019

Roundtable on "Copyright Law and Its Opponents: Clash of Belief Systems?" (November 23, 2019)

The 1948 U.N. Universal Declaration of Human Rights was an acknowledgement of the rights of individuals and an affirmation by governments of human dignity following the devastating influence of fascist regimes during World War II. It reinforces copyright as a system of moral and economic rights and as a human right, asserting that all individuals have the right to protection of the moral and material interests resulting from their scientific, literary, or artistic productions. Current anti-copyright rhetoric defies this universal principle of freedom and equality under the law. The anti-copyright movement has its origins in an opposing belief system that views freedom as a system of free markets unconstrained by regulation and that associates both freedom and virtue with wealth. The path to wealth is paved by economic devaluation of human creativity and original expression, the raw material for wealth creation, and thus by the elimination of copyright protections, and by the creation of behavioral markets that further devalue personal autonomy. The movement, driven by technology industry coalitions, has captured sectors of academia, but is the involvement willing or coerced? Is it a belief system based on free will or is it systematically induced behavior modification? How does corporate influence affect or how is it affected by developments in the Russian Federation, in the European Union that has emerged as the strongest defender of individuals’ rights, and more broadly in the Slavic, East European, and Eurasian sphere? Roundtable participants will offer multiple perspectives and will promote discussion of divergent views.

Participants:

• Liisi Esse, Stanford University, Chair

• Ksenya Kiebuzinski, University of Toronto

• Barbara Krupa, Stanford University

• Janice Pilch, Rutgers University

2018

50th ASEEES Annual Convention, Boston

December 6-9, 2018

Roundtable on "Copyright and Related Rights: A Look at the State of Play in Publishing, Music Licensing, and Broadcast Media" (December 8, 2018)

The scholarly enterprise embraces materials in all formats, but adequate knowledge of laws and practices in publishing and of the complex legal landscape for musical works, sound recordings, audiovisual works, and broadcast media is often lacking in universities and libraries because these works originate in the commercial sphere that is not part of the experience of scholars and librarians. In recent years, the rights of public performance, broadcasting, communication to the public, and making copyrighted material available to the public have been the subject of much discussion and the issues of music licensing and broadcast rights have taken center stage. Roundtable presenters will clarify the current state of play in copyright and related rights for works typically associated with the commercial sphere. How does the system of copyright and related rights perform for those whose livelihoods depend on it, for those who choose to be economic actors? What are the implications of attempts to alter the commercial landscape through imposition of “non-commercial” copyright exceptions and reinterpretations of the law that function to create an alt-commercial stage for digital industry actors? How do developments in the U.S. affect or how are they affected by developments in the Slavic, East European, and Eurasian sphere?

Participants:

• Janice Pilch, Rutgers University, Chair

• Thomas Keenan, Princeton, University

• Barbara Krupa, Stanford University

• Janice T. Pilch, Rutgers University

• Terry A. Tegnazian, President, Aquila Polonica Publishing

2017

49th ASEEES Annual Convention, Chicago

November 9-12, 2017

Roundtable on "The International Copyright System: Tradition, Reform, and Impact on Research, Publication, and Education" (November 10, 2017)

Using international materials is critical to the scholarly enterprise and to Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies. Laws and accepted practices vary across the world and dealing with national copyright laws can be challenging for the scholar, particularly in light of a new culture of transgression against longstanding legal norms, where authors’ rights are recast as user rights, challenging the role of traditional publishing and repurposing the value of scholarly works. The purpose and function of the international copyright system is changing, and knowledge of its dynamics is fundamental to work in research and higher education, as well as generally for participation in the information society. The session will cover history, current laws, copyright reform, and application of copyright law to research, publication, and education in a time of volatility and revolution in the international copyright system.

Participants:

• Janice T. Pilch, Rutgers University, Chair

• Bryan Benilous, East View Information Services

• Janet Irene Crayne, University of Michigan

• Angelina Gibson, University of Oxford (UK)

2016

48th ASEEES Annual Convention, Washington, DC

November 17-20, 2016

Roundtable on "Handling Copyright and Other Legal Issues in Libraries, Museums, Archives, and Higher Education"

November 18, 2016

The roundtable will identify key copyright and other legal issues that libraries, archives, museums, and educational institutions address related to digital access, research, education, and scholarly communication and discuss how they are handled within the policy context of individual institutions and trends in higher education and publishing. Some institutions have well-developed policies and practices, while others are just beginning to address these issues, in a legal landscape that is changing nationally and internationally. Issues for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian works raise particularly interesting questions in the context of international copyright law.

Participants:

• Janice Pilch, Rutgers University, Chair

• Bryan Benilous, East View Information Services

• Janet Crayne, University of Michigan

• Ksenya Kiebuzinski, University of Toronto

• Kristen Regina, Philadelphia Museum of Art

2015

47th ASEEES Annual Convention, Philadelphia

November 19-22, 2015

Roundtable on "The Politics of Copyright: Fact v Fiction"

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Copyright has become one of the most debated topics of the 21st century and is critical to the future of academic research and scholarship. Copyright law, recognized as a human right in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, is turned on its head by U.S. technology corporations seeking to gain proprietary rights in information in the name of innovation, the public interest, and access to knowledge internationally. The roundtable will explore the politics and strategies of major stakeholders in the economic competition that is determining the future of scholarship and the many ways in which truth is distorted in the process.

Participants:

• Janice Pilch, Rutgers University, Chair

• Diana Greene, New York University

• Thomas Keenan, Princeton University

• Kent Lee, East View Information Services

• James Steffen, Emory University

2014

46th ASEEES Annual Convention, San Antonio

November 20-23, 2014

Panel on "Samizdat in the Digital Era: Archival and Legal Perspectives" (November 23, 2014)

The rapid development of digital content and the advancements in online access to scholarly information resources have led to a critical need to identify, clarify, and resolve copyright issues associated with digitization of underground publications (samizdat). The issue of copyright related to samizdat remains under-discussed and unresolved. The panel represents an opportunity to consider questions that archivists face when working with samizdat. The papers will cover the history of samizdat, identify various formats of the materials which raise unique copyright questions, and address copyright and other legal issues associated with digital preservation and online access of samizdat.

Participants:

• James Steffen, Emory University, Chair

• Larisa Seago, Baylor University, Keston Center for Religion, Politics, and Society, “Making Voices Heard: Digitizing Soviet Religious Samizdat and Providing Online Access”

• Janet Crayne, University of Michigan, “Samizdat or Not Samizdat? Publication or Manuscript?: The Case of the Versions of Doktor Zhivago”

• Janice Pilch, Rutgers University, “Copyright and Other Legal Issues Surrounding Digital Preservation of Samizdat”

• Kathy Hillman, Baylor University, Discussant

2013

ASEEES 45th Annual Convention, Boston

November 21-24, 2013

Roundtable on "Dialogue on Copyright Issues in Higher Education: Answers to Most Frequently Asked Questions" (November 23, 2013)

The purpose of this roundtable is to clarify copyright and licensing issues relevant to research, scholarship, and teaching. It is meant to be an interactive Q&A discussion on copyright issues for copyright and licensing issues relevant to research, scholarship, and teaching. We want to focus on questions and answers among participants and with you, the audience. We do have some prepared questions based on the work this committee has done fielding copyright queries in the field. We welcome yours as well and will try to string this together into a coherent whole.

Participants:

• James M Steffen, Emory University, Chair

• Janice T. Pilch, Rutgers University

• Barbara Brigida Krupa, Stanford University

• Janet Irene Crayne, University of Michigan

• Stephen D. Corrsin, New York Public Library

2012

44th ASEEES Annual Convention, New Orleans

November 15-18, 2012

Panel on "The Digital Steppe: Logistic and Legal Issues of Electronic Documents in the Russian Federation" (November 17, 2012)

This panel will explore issues surrounding access to electronic information in the Russian Federation specific to the current and evolving state of legislation governing library and copyright practices. Attention will be given to matters of legal deposit, collection development in Russian institutions, long-term preservation, as well as circumstances confronting users of Russian electronic information outside of Russia.

Participants:

• Zina Somova, East View Information Services, Chair

• Elena Kozlova, Informregistr Publishing, Russia, “Collection Development with Legal Deposit in Electronic Environment in Russia”

• Alexander A. Dzhigo, Russian State Library, Russia, “The Life Cycle of Electronic Documents in Russian Libraries and Information Centers”

• Janice T. Pilch, Rutgers University, “Copyright Law and Contracts: Access to Russia's Electronic Documents”

• Robert E. Lee, East View Information Services, Discussant

2011

43rd ASEEES Annual Convention, Washington, DC

November 17-20, 2011

Roundtable on "Access to Research and Educational Materials In Our Institutions: The Role Of Governments and Citizens" (November 19, 2011)

The roundtable will explore the experience of librarians and library advocates in maintaining and promoting access to information. Issues discussed will include open access, copyright and other legal issues, international and national legislation, public policy, access to information as a human right, and broader issues of human rights in the aftermath of war. It will cover the role of governments, non-governmental organizations, and citizens, and include personal experiences surrounding needs and solutions to free information in our field.

The roundtable was organized to benefit from the location of the conference and the outreach program offered by the U.S. Copyright Office. We are very pleased that a representative of the U.S. Copyright Office will join the panel to discuss issues related to copyright and access to information. Catie Rowland, Counsel, Policy and International Affairs, U.S. Copyright Office will offer perspectives on U.S government positions on international copyright.

Participants:

• Michael Brewer, University of Arizona, Chair

• Janet Crayne, University of Michigan

• Saša Madacki, University of Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina

• Janice T. Pilch, Rutgers University

• Catie Rowland, Counsel, Policy and International Affairs, U.S. Copyright Office

2010

42nd ASEEES Annual Convention, Los Angeles

November 18-21, 2010

Roundtable on “Copyright Wars: Finding a Balance between Rights and Access to Copyrighted Works in Slavic and Eurasian Studies” (November 18, 2010)

The roundtable explored the experience of academic faculty, publishers, and librarians in applying copyright law, particularly with respect to exercising fair use, assessing copyright status, and obtaining copyright permissions. The discussion covered national and international copyright issues, open access, and scholarly publishing practices in the field of Slavic and East European studies. It underscored the responsibility shared by scholars and librarians to ensure that scholarly information remains accessible to people in all parts of the world, and to work toward creating a durable and sustainable information society.

Participants:

• • Janice Pilch (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign), Chair

  • Michael Brewer (University of Arizona)

  • Bruce Grant (New York University)

  • George Fowler (Slavica Publishers)

  • Scott Palmer (Western Illinois University)

2009

41st AAASS Annual Convention, Boston

November 12-15, 2009

Roundtable on “Practical Copyright Considerations for Slavic and Eurasian Research, Teaching, and Librarianship” (November 14, 2009)

The roundtable explored a range of copyright issues relevant to scholarly publishing, education, and librarianship, from the perspective of scholars, research libraries, and vendors of information resources. Presenters discussed application of the copyright law, provided updates on recent developments in national and international law, offered practical advice on handling copyright issues, and they fielded questions from the audience to promote lively discussion.

Participants:

• • Stephen Corrsin (New York Public Library), Chair

  • Michael Brewer (University of Arizona)

  • Robert Lee (East View Information Services)

  • Janice Pilch (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)

  • James Simon (Center for Research Libraries)

2008

40th AAASS Annual Convention, Philadelphia

November 20-23, 2008

Session for the Faculty Digital Resources Workshop on “Copyright in the Research and Academ Environment” (November 20, 2008)

Led by Janice Pilch (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) and Michael Newcity (Duke University), the session introduced researchers to the basics of copyright and introduced specific applications, with examples in both print and digital contexts. Emphasis was on works created in Slavic and East European countries. It covered:

• • General principles of copyright

  • Copyright restoration in U.S. for foreign works

  • Determining the copyright status of Slavic, East European and Eurasian works

  • Application of U.S. law to uses of foreign works

  • Exclusive rights in U.S. law

  • Limitations and exceptions for research and educational use

  • Performing due diligence: a real-life scenario

2007

39th Annual AAASS Convention, New Orleans

November 15-18, 2007

Panel on “Copyright and the Changing Arena of Scholarly Communication in Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies” (November 15, 2007)

Participants:

• • Janet Crayne (University of Michigan), Chair

  • Michael Newcity (Duke University), “Performing Copyright Due Diligence: How to Analyze Legal Compliance of Projects and Programs”

  • Janice Pilch (University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign), “Copyright in Slavic and East European Texts and Images in Traditional Systems of Publishing”

  • Kevin Hawkins (University of Michigan), “Copyright Issues in Open Access Publishing for Slavic Studies”

  • Michael Brewer (University of Arizona), Discussant

2006

38th Annual AAASS Convention, Washington, DC

November 16-19, 2006

Panel on “International Copyright Law and the Post-Communist World” (November 16, 2006)

Participants:

• • Karen Rondestvedt (Stanford University), Chair

  • Matthew Skelton (U.S. Copyright Office), “International Copyright: Perspectives from the U.S. Copyright Office”

  • Janice Pilch (University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign), “International Copyright: Perspectives from the Academic Library”

  • Michael Newcity (Duke University), “International Copyright: Perspectives on the Law of the Russian Federation”

  • Michael Brewer (University of Arizona), Discussant

2005

37th Annual AAASS Convention, Salt Lake City

November 3-6, 2005

1) Session for the Faculty Digital Resources Workshop on “Digital Copyright 101” (November 3, 2005)

Led by Janice Pilch (University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign), the session outlined the basics of copyright law as it applies to digital works being used by academics and educators in Slavic, East European and Eurasian studies.

2) Roundtable on “Digital Copyright: Practical Approaches” (November 4, 2005)

Participants:

• • Cathy Zeljak (George Washington University), Chair

  • Michael Brewer (University of Arizona)

  • Janet Crayne (University of Michigan)

  • Janice Pilch (University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign)

  • Karen Rondestvedt (Stanford University)

3) Panel on “Licensing Issues for Slavic and East European Materials: The Sequel” (November 5, 2005)

Participants:

• • Daniel Pennell (University of Pittsburgh), Chair

  • Stephen Corrsin (New York Public Library), “Talking to the Lawyers”

  • Nicholas Thorner (Library of Congress), “Licensed to Collect: Acquiring E-Journals”

  • Janice T. Pilch (University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign), Discussant

2004

36th Annual AAASS Convention, Boston

December 4-7, 2004

Panel on “Copyright and Licensing Issues for Slavic and East European Materials” (December 6, 2004)

Participants:

• • Cathy Zeljak (George Washington University), Chair

  • Stephen Corrsin (New York Public Library), “Resistance is Futile: The Licensing of Electronic Resources for Libraries”

  • Kirill Fesenko (EastView Publications), “Licensing Agreements for Online Resources: A Vendor’s Perspective”

  • Janice Pilch (University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign), “New Dimensions in Intellectual Property: Copyright Dilemmas and How to Solve Them”

  • Janet Crayne (University of Michigan), Discussant