From: Ann Shumelda Okerson <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Sun, 23 Mar 2014 19:46:16 -0400

Around mid-February, a list participant reported that her library had
been asked to sign a license for a newspaper microfilm.  She noted
that there were some areas of concern, including restriction on
interlibrary loan of the film.  The subsequent responses suggested
that licenses for microform (& analog materials) is hardly usual
practice; the participant was encouraged not to sign.

Over the past few days there's been similar discussion again, in other
venues, this time that a major publisher (Newsbank) is asking for
licenses for its microfilm, and some of that language is problematic
for libraries.

I'm hoping that at least some microfilm publishers who are on this list
might be able to share with us their thoughts, and also that
Newsbank might describe why a restricted license has now become
desirable for them.  This shift for materials that have previously
been governed by copyright law and long-established practices is
worrisome and not understood by the library community.

Thank you, Ann Okerson