Keywords
Citation
Fourie, I. (2002), "The Librarian’s Guide to Intellectual Property in the Digital Age", Online Information Review, Vol. 26 No. 6, pp. 427-427. https://doi.org/10.1108/oir.2002.26.6.427.4
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Although The Librarian’s Guide cannot be considered as an authoritative guide as claimed by the publishers, it offers a good and interesting introduction for the novice looking for a quick overview or some interesting examples. The emphasis falls on patents and trademarks. The clear and easy‐to‐follow writing style makes it an ideal point of departure. It should, however, be supplemented by more substantial works such as the 548 page publication, Copyright Made Easy by Raymond A. Wall (2000, Aslib, London). It is a pity that Timothy Wherry did not include a bibliography or list of recommended sources. A detailed list of intellectual properties Web sites is, however, available.
The content is divided into 11 chapters covering an introduction to intellectual property (e.g. copyrights, patents and trademarks); copyright; fair use; Napster, CONFU and DMCA; intellectual property and the courts; patents; misconceptions about patents; and trademarks. Two very useful chapters deal with facets of patent searching, namely locating the field of search and determining the prior act. The last chapter covers a selection of questions and answers about intellectual property, such as: ‘If an invention has been patented by somebody else and the patent has expired, can I get a patent on it myself?’ and ‘Words like Kleenex, thermos, and sonar were once trademarks. Are they now generic terms that anyone can use on goods?’ Many interesting examples of patents and trademarks are included. A patent that I will certainly remember is the combined toilet tank and aquarium!
The Librarian’s Guide is a well‐bound, soft‐cover publication. It includes a detailed index and a list of libraries taking part in the patent and trademark depository programme. It would, however, have been useful if a publication claiming that it “truly prepares you with up‐to‐the‐minute information and practical hands‐on resources” were supported by a Web site.