Error during command authentication.
Error - unable to initiate communication with LISTSERV (errno=10061, phase=CONNECT, target=127.0.0.1:2306). The server is probably not started.
--- Forwarded Message from Bob Majors <[log in to unmask]> --- >User-Agent: Microsoft-Entourage/10.1.1.2418 >Date: Mon, 19 May 2003 09:33:56 -0700 >Subject: Re: #7156 permission to make audio CDs >From: Bob Majors <[log in to unmask]> >To: Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum <[log in to unmask]> >In-Reply-To: <[log in to unmask]> ------------------ > I am wondering if anyone has ever asked for permission from publishers > to make audio CD copies for students. We have been making cassette > copies for students upon request. Audio CDs would be an extension of > this, but somehow I feel that publishers wouldn't allow CDs to be > copied. The latest editions of books we are using for next year only > come with Audio CD programs. I could make cassette masters of the CDs > to copy for students, but fewer and fewer students have cassette > machines. As you describe, students want and need audio in digital format. Publishers ought to give digital permission if they would have given cassette permission. The only difference is that digital is (much) easier copy (unless protected by proper streaming etc. and/or digital rights management), although even with language cassette tapes, students have been known to copy at 2x or 4x (1 to 1); 16x (1 to many -- yes the same kind of high-speed copiers in language learning centers have been rumored to have been used in frat/sorority/dorms); and even a well meaning student digitized cassettes (that he acquired legally) and placed the audio on a web server for his own use (but it was exposed to the world). Perhaps we will be able to use some sort of digital rights management ala Apple's Music Store that allows use on portable devices, and personal copying for self-use CD-A's. Granted, while some of this is digitally protected/limited, some of it involves the honor system. Even with cassette duplication rights, language learning centers historically have wasted too much time with negotiations. Large scale publishers ought to realize that audio is a loss-leader, and not worry about it, that the revenues will come via the text and workbooks. Even when they try to sell audio in the bookstore, I've heard that it doesn't sell that much (here, anyway), and also that the bookstore often won't stock audio because of small and/or unpredictable sales. The way to approach it is to get digital copying rights set up during negotiations *before* a text is adopted. This is the only time one has leverage. If one publisher won't give rights, use another book whose publisher will. This of course involves strong cooperation between the language learning center and the language coordinators, which is sometimes difficult, and won't work in all cases. All that said, there are smaller publishers who claim to rely on audio revenues, and there are some publishers who refuse any duplication rights -- often ESL in my experience. And I wholeheartedly believe in intellectual property rights (see <http://mixonline.com/ar/audio_feedback_18/> for a good read on music copying). I just believe there is a way to make digital audio happen easily and keep (at least) most publishers happy at the same time, and save everyone a lot of time. But perhaps we don't want to deprive students of that bonus tape hiss ;) Bob Majors (These opinions are mine and don't necessarily reflect those of my employer.)