November 2003 Public Policy Computer Graphics Column
Successful Public Policy Activities at SIGGRAPH 2003
Bob Ellis
November 2003
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[ Successful Public Policy Activities at SIGGRAPH 2003 ]
The SIGGRAPH Public Policy Program had two very successful events at
the conference in San Diego. Our course on intellectual property and
digital rights management was once again presented by Dan Burk and
Barbara Simons. The course was essentially an updated version of the
course presented at SIGGRAPH 2002. Again an enthusiastic audience of
about 100 enjoyed the course and contributed interesting questions and
comments.
The Birds of a Feather session was held immediately after the course
and was attended by about 30 people. Course presenters Burk and Simons
attended and fielded even more questions. Also in attendance was John
White, ACM CEO, who gave a brief description of the intellectual
property and business issues associated with the ACM's Digital Library.
Perhaps the most interesting question was one which asked if the ACM
could be more proactive in the area of intellectual property by
developing model legislation or at least a white paper. Discussion
followed on the fact that it was extremely difficult to do this well
and in fact the ACM's Digital Library does serve as a model for modern
publishing.
As stated in the previous article, this is the last official activity
for the program. I've enjoyed the 7 or so years, but time has come for
me to step down. I will continue my membership on the ACM's U.S.
Public Policy Committee (USACM) and will probably write the occasional piece
for Computer Graphics. And who knows, there may even be other
conference sessions in the future. I know Myles Losch is thinking of
organizing a Birds of a Feather Session next year.
I'd like again thank all the volunteers who supported this activity.
In particular, the program would not have been possible without the work
of Myles Losch, Laurie Reinhart and David Richard Nelson. I'd also like to
thank all the volunteers who contributed to the content of the program
including Dan Burk, Barbara Simons, Mark Banas and the many who
contributed material to the Computer Graphics columns.
