A CULTURAL COMMONS AND THE PAST: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND ARCHAEOLOGY

E.Kansa, Alexandria Archive Inst., Stanford University

This paper explores how intellectual property decisions impact on the use, usefulness, and permanence of online resources for archaeology. The wide reach and ease of Internet accessibility magnifies the potential audience of archaeological research. This enhances prospects for the use, reuse, and innovative application of archaeological data both among the professional community and among educators, the general public, artists and creators. The wide ranging audiences and possible uses of archaeological information highlight the importance of Intellectual Property rights in digital publication. Processes for voicing the concerns of authors and other stakeholders (indigenous peoples, governments, granting agencies, etc.) must be established. At the same time, the purpose of archaeological publication and the usability of that information must be considered. Intellectual Property related decisions affect how information can be used, reused, recombined and revaluated. In effect, Intellectual Property practices help determine the value of information for scholarship, innovation, and creativity. Intellectual Property concerns also play an important role in determining how our contributions will continue to exist as a resource for the future.