CORNISH (Graham P). Conflict between Copyright and Document Supply: Real or Imagined? 16,2;1991;102-12
Document supply systems make documents more widely accessible than would otherwise be possible. Although this is sometimes achieved by lending, mostly copies are provided. This appear to conflict with the interests of the copyright owners but document supply is an extension of use rather than a substitute of purchase. Economic harm is not done to the publisher/author unless extra reward for extra use is seen as part of the publishing cycle. New technology may allow closer monitoring of copyright material but can also bring the danger of economic censorship. Librarians and copyright owners need to be clear about why document supply is so important in the research chain and not try to disrupt the flow of information on which both depend for their very existence.