Cloud Computing and Far-Reaching Implications for Cloud-Data Ownership Rights

It's been a while since we've posted here, but I've just come across an article at Wired Magazine that I thought would be of interest to us as librarians and general keepers and guardians of information in the age of digitization, file sharing, and cloud computing.

By great coincidence, our last post here was also about Cloud Computing (thanks, Amy!).

But I'm hear to talk about the dark side.

Full article: Megaupload Case Has Far-Reaching Implications for Cloud-Data Ownership Rights, by David Kravets.

Early in 2012, you may have read about the seizure of the domain Megaupload.com. To oversimplify, the seizure took place amidst allegations that the site encouraged copyright infrigement.

"The problem lies in the fact that there is currently no clear process for owners to retrieve property that federal prosecutors effectively seized when they shuttered the file-sharing and cyberlocker service, " writes Kravets. That is, the owners of stored files - individual people around the world, as well as individuals storing files on behalf of larger organizations - have no way of accessing files and data that they may legitimately own and which does not violate any copyright.

"The Electronic Frontier Foundation... is representing one of Megaupload’s users in a lawsuit against the government that could set a precedent for cloud users in general," says Kravets. In this case, the plaintiff has gone to court seeking the return of high-school sports videos that are the property of his company. He maintains that the files he stored at Megaupload are the only existing copies -- they were his back-up after his own computer crashed.

There are also issues of privacy, of course, as the Court may determine that owners can only retrieve their data after it's been checked by outside parties for copyright-infringing materials. And libraries are famous for protecting patrons' privacy.

Kravets again: "So far, federal prosecutors are proposing a process that would make it essentially impossible for former Megaupload users to recover any of their legitimate data."

Imagine if libraries storing legitimate data in the cloud were to lose access to that data. Imagine that no other copies of that data existed, for whatever reason: spatial or financial hardship, failure to regularly update old hard-drive files with new versions stored in the cloud, on-site computer crashes, any number of reasons, really. Where would such cloud-computing libraries be then?

Scary.

Libraries: Are their heads in the clouds?

Join me, on the continued adventures in library school !

Libraries can now be found on social networking sites, through instant messaging services, YouTube, blogs, and through texting services (15.) Moving along the same parallel as the technological backdrop and mobile devices that are shaping the growing library community is the idea of Cloud computing. Cloud computing refers to the idea that content such as: documents, schedules, music, or other media being stored on a server and accessed on an Internet ready device like a computer or mobile phone. This system can further be described as applications running on a device being stored online. Cloud computing is not a new idea, email systems have been using the basic idea for a long time, but we are now reaching a point of constant connectivity for a large enough group of people that deeper implementations are possible and becoming practical:for example: we all are able to work on the same Google doc in a variety of locations.


Cloud computing services are usually provided through a third-party service. Many libraries are already linking library content directly from within a virtual learning environment, providing information literacy tools, websites that work with mobile phones and engaging with students on facebook or via twitter. The popularity of online reference, or “ask-an-expert” services as noted in the 2010 Worldcat Report can assist in illustrating the need for Cloud services like search services, learning activities and course resources. Services such as these may reflect a higher level of connectivity that will affect libraries as the expectation for immediacy will be driven higher. Other possible limiting factors for serious cloud computing needs are the necessity of a very fast Internet connection to meet the needs of a large variety of users.


Cloud computing is a current buzz word. People think they need it before they even know what it is. Cloud Computing is essentially just a convenient way to say online server. A common misconception on cloud computing is that it syncs all your computers together just by turning it on, but current implementations don't store ALL of your data. Further misconceptions are thinking about the system as a backup storage, or additional storage for all your devices. Cloud computing within the library scope would be beneficial for research guides and online reference needs. Current cloud-like services within the library field include: QuestionPoint, Summon, LibGuides, Worldcat, Connexion, and Primo Totalcare. Keeping in mind current interests and popular services cloud computing can be a beneficial tool especially when considering the shift in when and where users prefer to get their library needs met. As mentioned in the 2010 report “it seems that self-sufficient information consumers still appreciate expertise and a passion for learning—but they like it best on their time, with their tools” (94).


Cervone, H. F. (2010). An overview of virtual and cloud computing. OCLC Systems and Services, 26(3), 162-165. Retrieved from http://www.scopus.com/

"The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore"

Yesterday's Division of Libraries All Staff Meeting was a great reminder, I thought, of our libary's mission and our place in helping that mission to succeed. We all get so bogged down in our individual work that these reminders are vital.

On that note, here is one of the animated short films that's been nominated for an Academy Award this year. It's described by its creators as "a story of people who devote their lives to books and books who return the favor."

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr Morris Lessmore Trailer from Moonbot Studios.

At the All Staff meeting, Dean Mandel touched on the concept of the library as a place, how that powerful iconography still speaks to people even in the context of the modern information age. Although as a research library, we are mostly hosting users engaged in scholarly pursuits and not reading for pleasure or escape, of course our concept of the book as object remains equally powerful. Thus, this fanciful short film might also help remind many of us just why we wanted to work in libraries in the first place.

I hope it will inspire you as we go forward with our new Strategic Plan!

Bonus confession: I totally teared up at the end.


via PhiliBiblos