The first sale doctrine gives the author and creator of a work control over the first sale of their creation. After that, the purchasers of the physical object can do with it whatever they please. Our library procedures depend on this. If the first sale doctrine is eliminated, licensing becomes the alternative. As explained above, licensing places more restrictions on libraries and library users.
Distance learning is an important and critical tool in the profession of medicine.
Computers and advanced telecommunications technologies facilitate these educational and patient care situations. New laws must not create technological barriers that restrict the practice of distance education and access to information. Our libraries must be able to provide the same level and quality of knowledge-based information services to all students and faculty, regardless of where they are trained or work. If professors and librarians cannot transmit the materials needed for a distance learning course, the students not on campus will be at a great disadvantage. Likewise, if librarians cannot transmit the information needed by students and health professi onals to treat patients in rural settings away from the campus, patient care will be compromised.