Copyleft and Copyright: Towards Understanding Digital Era Open Licenses

Abstract

Noting the absence of non-traditional intellectual property rights such as the copyleft and open-source software licences in the curriculum of library schools in developing countries like Nigeria coupled with dearth of conversations on the subjects in professional practice, the paper uses the research note approach to contribute conceptual understanding of the subjects. This becomes more important given the gravitation of the production and use of intellectual artefacts in digital formats in an increasingly digital world. There has never been a time for stakeholders to understand the licences such as the creative commons and copyleft that govern digital intellectual artefacts than now. The paper concludes that the digital age and its many innovations have not come to disrupt agelong intellectual property rights but to essentially, offer complementary dimensions and create innovative ways for implementing the rights while at the same time not obstructive to users’ dynamic capabilities with digital intellectual properties. In order to better comprehend copyrights in the digital era of open licenses, the paper recommends that relevant stakeholders take an interest in this area of information policy. Also, that library schools in Nigeria and the rest of developing nations should include the concepts of open licences in their curriculum. Additionally, in keeping with best practices around the world, libraries should establish specialized units for copyright and digital scholarship.