Committee Charge

The Standing Committee on Copyright is charged to:

• Initiate, encourage and monitor projects that make innovative use of copyrighted works, regardless of format, and assist faculty and students to both produce new works and make use of the works of others in ways consistent with law, policy, and the academic mission of the University;
• Monitor the copyright environment and make recommendations to the University on how to align University copyright policy and management with the goals of the academic mission in the context of continuous and rapid change;
• Monitor technological restrictions and contract practices that impede fair use and the advance of knowledge;
• Recommend priorities and methods for continuous Universitywide education on copyright;
• Assess the implications of new legislation for University policy and practice; and
• Make recommendations about substantive participation in national discussions and initiatives.

The Committee reports to the Provost and Senior Vice President, Academic Affairs, and works closely with the Systemwide Library and Scholarly Information Advisory Committee, the Technology Transfer Advisory Committee, and relevant standing Academic Council committees. Its work should be informed by awareness of the interaction between copyright policy and policies governing academic personnel, faculty and student conduct, research, and use of University resources, including electronic communications facilities.

Membership: The primary criterion for membership in the Committee is representation of knowledge, experience and perspective related to copyright and the various University functions that deal directly with copyright issues. To ensure the necessary breadth of input, the Committee shall include individuals from all UC campuses.

The Committee is appointed by the Provost and includes:

An Academic Vice Chancellor;
A Research Vice Chancellor;
3 Academic Council representatives;
Additional faculty and campus administrators as needed to provide appropriate perspectives such as extension and faculty involved in the creation of web-based instructional materials;

In addition, the following serve as ex-officio Advisory Committee members:

Vice Provost, Academic Initiatives;
(Acting) Associate Vice President, Information Resources and Communications; and
University Librarian and Executive Director, California Digital Library;
One representative from the Office of General Counsel;
One representative from the Office of Technology Transfer.

An Academic Vice Chancellor will serve as Chair.

Appointment Process: All appointed members will serve an initial three-year term, and terms of subsequent appointments will be staggered, to insure consistency and stability during this period of extended transition.

Meetings: The Committee meets quarterly, or more frequently if needed.