I just got sent an email from the University, about access to journal papers. Referring to these academic works simply as "material", it says that "the University reserves the right to suspend access to those users who are reported to have been accessing material indiscriminately, or for purposes unrelated to either their teaching or research."
Hang on, what? I'm not sure quite what might be wrong with reading academic papers "indiscriminately", or (heaven forbid) if it doesn't relate to your own work!
There's not too much to worry about though, since "if the Licence (sic) for the eJournal does not say otherwise, it can be taken that the viewing... of one article from any one issue of the eJournal... does not infringe copyright." Phew! I was worried there for a minute. But "if you are not sure then copying and saving [and this includes copying to your screen for viewing according to the preamble] 'an insubstantial amount' will be the safest course of action."
Right then. I'd better make sure my research only cites insubstantial parts of papers if they all happen to be from the same issue of a journal!
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" or for purposes unrelated
" or for purposes unrelated to either their teaching or research."
That is the much more worrying part of the announcement to me. Why would it matter if I, a Chemistry student, looked at a journal about Computer Science or Biology? Neither are related to chemistry, but still have interesting and there is the possibility of finding something new and novel.
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