A Study on the Legal Deposit of Electronic Publications

• Main Authors: Hua Shiang-Chi, 花湘琪
• Other Authors: Chiu Jeong-Yeou
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2004
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/80638183528645798745

碩士 === 淡江大學 === 資訊與圖書館學系 === 92 === This study aims to examine the execution and predicaments of legal deposit of electronic publications in Taiwan area. As researches and developments in other countries are understood through literature review, interviews and questionnaire surveys are also conducted to obtain Taiwan library and publishing professionals’ attitudes and opinions upon this issue. 82 questionnaires were circularized to publishing professionals. Except 1 invalid questionnaire, the other 43 valid ones account for 53.66% of all the 44 returned; 6 representatives for publishers and 4 for library professionals were interviewed. Findings of this study are: (1) Over half of publishing professionals are not aware of the significance and purpose of “legal deposit”, nor the regulations about electronic publications. (2) Range and definition of publications to be deposited are not clearly defined in the Library Law. (3) Generalized constraints and penalty clauses set through legislation can not handle the complexity of electronic media. National Central Library should make supplementary regulations and initiate negotiations with involved parties. (4) About 85% of paper copies are deposited while depositing of electronic publications is not yet enforced. (5) Most publishing professionals agree to share bibliographic information. (6) There is yet any plan on long-term archiving, which mostly involves copyright, access right, and payment issues. (7) The idea is not yet recognized by publishers, but in-site single-machine access is accepted by some. (8) Publishers agree that user fee, compensation, and reward systems would reduce their economic loss. Deposited items should be limited for archiving, and charges for individual acquisition seem more reasonable to them. (9) Positive policies and reasonable mechanism are important considerations for publishers in cooperating with National Central Library. Suggestions: (1) National Central Library should enhance and promote concepts about legal deposit. (2) Amendments on the Library Law, relative enactments, or detailed directions on the execution should be initiated. (3) Precedent experiences should be referred to gain publishers’ support and enhance librarian training. (4) Supplementary corrective measures should be employed to support the execution. (5) Examinations on electronic publications and publishers should include market survey. (6) National Central Library should start to consign relative studies. (7) National archiving mechanism and archiving environment for digital publications should be constructed. (8) National Central Library should cooperate and establish ties with voluntary publishers who have sufficient resources. (9) To reserve contemporary publishing culture, feasibility of collecting internet resources should be assessed. (10) A consensus should be reached through gathering opinions from various parties.