The
article from Technician online discussed Open access research, a movement to
make tax-funded research available to the public. According to the article open access started
gaining public attention in the 1990s and when the National Institute of Health
requested the research it funded be made open access, attention grew. Now
researchers who don’t meet these obligations may jeopardize future funding.
Aaron Swartz was the one who brought open access to the
public’s attention. He was an MIT student
and a supporter of open access. Swartz
protested closed-access research and was charged with fraud, millions of
dollars in fines and potential lengthy prison time. He ended up committing
suicide as a result.
From the information I read it seems like the Legal and
Ethical issues addressed in common law do not always translate so easily to Cyberlaw. The Internet brings its own unique challenges
relating to rights and wrongs; most of which seem to be addressed only as they arise. I feel like the anonymity
of the Internet may also play a role in a person’s decision to do the right
thing. In my opinion laws need to be very clear in defining Internet rights
and responsibilities without limiting its ability to expand knowledge.
I read this article as well it was sad how he committed suicide. I also believe that we all may have breaking the cyber law rules. By either downloading illegal music etc. I don't think he deserved to be treated the way he was treated which lead to his death.
ReplyDeleteI think people blew up the Aaron Swartz situation and it eventually resulted in his death. I think so many people nowadays are doing what Aaron Swarts was intending to do, and i definitely believe that their are a lot more supporters of open access then there has ever been before.
ReplyDelete