----------------------------Original message---------------------------- I learned today that Senator Ashcroft's "Digital Copyright Clarification and Technology Act of 1997" (S. 1146) is strongly supported by the Digital Future Coalition (DFC), of which ARLIS/NA and VRA are members. This is the intellectual property bill introduced on September 4, 1997 that extends fair use for education, research, and library archives into the digital arena, among other important features. Senator Ashcroft consulted with DFC during the drafting process, and DFC acknowledges that the bill is consistent with their goals and values. The full text of the bill is available through the DFC web page Select 105th Congress Legislation. You can also access the bill through "thomas", but don't use the address given in the NINCH announcement. It hasn't been working. Just go to then to current legislation, using the Senate bill number, S.1146. At the bottom of the DFC page under Let Washington know what you think, is a resource that will provide direct email links to your representatives in Congress, as well as a resource that will tell you who represents you in Congress, in case you have forgotten. The ALAWON announcement of the Ashcroft bill urged people to let their representatives know of their support for the bill by September 12th. Adam Eisgrau, ALA's Washington Office legislative counsel and very active DFC leader, states that House hearings will begin on September 16th, and that it is important that both House Reps and Senators know that this bill has the support of libraries and educational institutions and museums, all of whom objected to the earlier intellectual property proposals. When you send email, ALA would be very pleased if you would blind copy the Digital Future Coalition at [log in to unmask] Maryly Snow UC Berkeley Architecture Slide Library [log in to unmask]