Report: Proposed Intellectual Property Laws Too Restrictive

A recent report by the National Research Council says proposed changes to laws that protect intellectual property could impede the open exchange of scientific data among educators and scientists. In "Bits of Power: Issues in Global Access to Scientific Data," the council criticizes the proposals because they ignore traditional "fair use" exceptions that make collaborations possible. If the legislation passes, database vendors could charge scientists and educators for access to research materials, which in some cases are publicly funded, according to the council. The report cites potentially damaging ramifications of limiting information flow.