Researchers from CodeX (Stanford Center for Legal Informatics) and Media X at Stanford University have deployed a new “legally trained” Print on Demand system for course readers. The system features a copyright clearance mechanism that automates many elements of the licensing process, accommodates customized copyright pricing, and dynamically calculates royalty payments that take into account pre-existing rights that a student might already have to use certain content, such as where Stanford University libraries have already purchased subscription access for the campus community.

Initial results indicate students may pay less for course readers: In spring 2011, course readers were produced for ECON, PHYSICS, and PSYCH using the pilot deployment of Print on Demand. The student purchase price for course readers in these pilot classes were between 25-78% less than the same course readers assembled and sold through traditional methods.

The Print on Demand systems uses SIPX–the Stanford Intellectual Property Exchange, which was developed at CodeX (a research center jointly operated by Stanford Law School and the Stanford Department of Computer Science). SIPX facilitates legitimate access to content by providing a copyright registry, a copyright marketplace exchange, and a copyright clearance service that can connect with third party distribution platforms. One such Print on Demand production system–capable of producing customizable, high-resolution course readers–was developed by Media X affiliate Konica Minolta, using their PrintGroove application platform and the BizHub C6000.

The project began as collaboration between CodeX and Media X at Stanford University. (Media X is Stanford’s catalyst for industry and academic research partnerships on the impact of information and technology on society.) The project team, led by Associate Professor Michael Genesereth in computer science and Dr. Roland Vogl at the law school, plans to expand SIPX to the full campus by September for Print on Demand services and is also working to integrate with Stanford’s Coursework intranet system to help in copyright clearance for electronic and mobile distribution of academic content. Stanford University Libraries &  Academic Information Resources is an important research partner in this project, and provides crucial guidance on university licensing activities and access support to academic content.

For more information, or to have your fall quarter course reader produced by the new Print on Demand system, please contact Roland Vogl (rvogl@law.stanford.edu) or CodeX resident fellow Franny Lee (fslee@stanford.edu).