4.1: Acquisition of Digital Works

Increase the acquisition, through registration and mandatory deposit, of works created and disseminated in digital form in a variety of formats.

Other Information:

Increasing numbers of works are being created and distributed in digital form. Many works are made available only online. To sustain a universal collection, the Library must acquire the most current and historically valuable works now being created and disseminated only in digital form. Acquisition of digital works presents many challenges. The Copyright Office is a significant contributor to the effort to develop and realize the Library’s vision of a vibrant program of digital acquisition, and assists the Library in copyright issues related to access and preservation. Content owners are producing creative works in many formats and adding new ones every day. Section 407 of the copyright law specifies deposit of the “best edition” of a work for use by the Library of Congress, but does not limit the formats covered by the deposit provisions. The Library determines the best edition, and by regulation can specify any format as the best edition. Many of the new formats are digital. The registration and deposit of digital works forward the goals of the Library’s Digital Strategic Plan. Means: The means to accomplish this objective include • implementing a new IT systems infrastructure, now in development, in FY 2006, which will allow for online submission of digital works • promulgating, in consultation with the Library, updated regulations on best edition, especially for works distributed only online • revision of copyright deposit regulations CFR 202.19

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