Museum collections as intellectual property

[Barry Roth]

Does anyone have any experience with the legal aspects of museum
collections and/or databases as Intellectual Property?

We are accustomed to the free flow of such information in an academic
context (to some extent, that's what TAXACOM and other biological
servers are about).  Complications arise when this type of information,
based on institutional collections, becomes part of commercial work-product.
The whole field of intellectual property law is evolving rapidly, especial-
ly with respect to electronic media; systematists and collection managers
should have their house in order.

Can any TAXACOM subscriber suggest references, case law, opinions from
university of museum counsel, or just report personal experiences in this
area?  Thank you.

Barry Roth
Museum of Paleontology
University of California, Berkeley
barryr at ucmp1.berkeley.edu
Phone: (415) 387-8538