Moral rights and information content in published works

Abstract

Purpose

To explore moral rights laws in Europe and their effects on publication contents.

Design/methodology/approach

Conceptual analysis of legislation, cases and information resources which illustrate effects of law.

Findings

There are three main types of moral right. They effect: authorship and reputation concerning correction of errors and history of ideas; elucidation of ideas through parody: is a reputation being unduly attacked?; the creative extension of cultural content by its readership/audience: when is this legitimate?

Practical implications

These features link the property concept of knowledge with a human‐rights construct of content defined via personality.

Originality/value

Choices of regulation affect the balance between property and personality approaches which determine access to knowledge and culture. The IS community needs awareness of its choices.

Citation

Eisenschitz, T. (2006), "Moral rights and information content in published works", Aslib Proceedings, Vol. 58 No. 4, pp. 316-329. https://doi.org/10.1108/00012530610687696