Date:         Wed, 13 Mar 2002 10:08:50 -0600
From:         "MD_Buddy (Buddy Pennington)" <MD_Buddy@KCLIBRARY.ORG>
Subject:      Morningstar Price Increases

Hi all,

We just got our renewal notice for the Morningstar Mutual Funds and noticed
a 60% price increase over last year's price.  What is particularly galling
is their "argument" for increasing the subscription price.  In the letter,
they state that the "yearly subscription fee allows patrons to photocopy
pages...for their personal use."  and that they had to include this
"photocopy cost" into the annual fee for the product.

First of all, I thought the fair use clause of the copyright law enabled
patrons to photocopy pages from library materials, not the whims of the
publishers.  I know several publishers charge more for library copies
(institution rates), but that is not what Morningstar is stating in their
letter.

Second of all, library patrons have been doing this since Morningstar has
provided the product to libraries.  And a 60% increase?  Give me a break!

If they want or need to increase their rates, they should be honest about
why they are doing it.  If they want to start charging institutional rates,
fine but call it that.  Don't use an absurd argument about photocopying.  I
know publishers have a lot of control, but they do not control fair use.

I don't want to sound unsympathetic to publishers in these hard economic
times, but I don't want to be insulted either.  I think that librarians know
a thing or two about how copyright works.

Or maybe I just need another cup of coffee this morning!

Buddy Pennington
Document Delivery Librarian
Kansas City Public Library
md_buddy@kclibrary.org
816-701-3552