Open Flow of Scientific Information

(Adopted by Council on April 19, 1997)

The open flow of scientific data is essential to the progress of science. The American Physical Society is therefore greatly concerned by proposed legislation and treaties which would impose, through copyrighting of data bases, severe restrictions upon the fair use of scientific data, the generation of which was supported by public funds. The Society supports a balanced approach to copyright laws, which maintains the traditional principles of fair use and of expiration of copyright after a reasonable period, while still protecting intellectual property rights of authors and publishers.