Preserving the Positive Functions of the Public Domain In Science    

Science has advanced in part because data and scientific methodologies have traditionally not been subject to intellectual property protection. In recent years, intellectual property has played a greater role in scientific work. While intellectual property rights may have a positive role to play in some fields of science, so does the public domain. This paper will discuss some of the positive functions of the public domain and ways in which certain legal developments may negatively impact the public domain. It suggests some steps that scientists can take to preserve the positive functions of the public domain for science.

Samuelson, Pamela. Data Science Journal (2003). Articles>Intellectual Property>Copyright>Scientific Communication

Science, Intellectual Property, and the Web  

Many scientific journals have already moved to Web publication, but multiple concerns attend this conversion. In the past, publication in the sciences has assured that innovations and discoveries can be seen taking place along a continuum, each researcher building on the work of previous researchers. What effect does publishing on the Web and in other electronic forms have on this continuum? Three panelists – a technical-communications researcher, a scientific editor, and an engineering professor – address this question by considering the technological and other protections available to researchers. Scientific journals must also plan carefully for Web publication by allocating funds for protection and proper archiving.

Armbruster, David L., Hillary Hart and John A. Pearce. STC Proceedings (2002). Articles>Scientific Communication>Intellectual Property