Reprographics may computerize texts

Wharton Reprographics is negotiating to start testing a new computer technology early next year that could enable them to create course bulkpacks from a computerized database. Currently, bulkpacks are photocopied from the original text -- a time consuming process. The new technology will scan the documents into the computer and print them out at a much faster pace. In addition, the new system could have wider repercussions, which could enable the University to bypass a recent court ruling on bulkpack copyrights. According to Steve Aicholtz, associate director for academic technology services, Reprographics hopes to have the software installed by the first of the year, but he stressed that the system is still in the experimental stage. Aicholtz added that if the testing goes well, the system could one day be used for the entire University. "We're currently exploring the possibility of us being a University-wide resource and not just for Wharton faculty and students," Aicholtz said. The College Libraries Archive Storage System, or CLASS, was developed at Cornell University by the Xerox Corporation as a document preservation system. But the technology can also be used for bulkpack copying. Aicholtz said the new system would enable Reprographics to speed up publishing. "Once a document is stored you can call it up by number and print it on demand," Aicholtz said. "Right now we have a 48-hour guarantee on re-runs. I'd like to be able to do it in two to four." The system is still being tested at the Cornell bookstore, according to Glenn Alexander, segment marketing manager for Xerox. "We've started working with the Cornell bookstore to develop a prototype whereby the bookstore would act as service bureau to the faculty on campus," Alexander said. "We'll keep a copy of the course pack in the database and when the faculty need a coursepack we would say, 'We have the software and tools to compile it for you and print out fifty or one hundred copies.' " The new technology comes at a crucial time for the copying industry, which is still reeling from a federal court ruling against Kinko's Graphics Corporation. The suit was filed on behalf of eight publishers who claimed that two of Kinko's photcopying stores had illegally reproduced "substantial portions" of 12 books. The ruling has caused Kinko's to delay production of many bulkpacks because it must obtain permission from publishers before using articles. Before, many of those articles had fallen under "fair use" law, which allows reprinting for educational purposes. Kinko's problems have made in-house systems more attractive to schools, which as non-profit education institutions face less stringent restriction on copyright laws. "One of the important facets [of the system] is copyright approval," Alexander said. "[Schools] will go after copyright approval for the faculty," an easier method to obtain copyrights.

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