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Transformation to Open Science
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OS 101 module 1 lesson 3: confusion about copyright vs licensing #632

Open danielskatz opened 8 months ago

danielskatz commented 8 months ago

In module 1, lesson 3, I read

As we’ve previously shown, different kinds of intellectual property are released using different formal structures. For example, text and media products are released under copyright and software is released under a license.

However, copyright and licensing are general concepts that apply to all IP, I believe. At least text, images, software, and data all typically have a copyright (ownership) as well as license (usage). The licenses might vary, but they still apply to all types of IP.

danielskatz commented 8 months ago

One of the questions at the end of this lesson includes this text about copyright

It gives permission to apply for a license but is not, itself, a type of license.

which I also don't think is exactly correct. Copyright is ownership, and the owner can apply a license, so in some sense copyright says who can apply a license, but it's not really giving permission to "apply for a license"

danielskatz commented 8 months ago

This confusing text is also in the assessment at the end of the entire module: "It [copyright] gives permission to apply for a license"

bressler95tops commented 8 months ago

Thank you for pointing that out @danielskatz. We will be reviewing curriculum suggestions hopefully within the next couple weeks as we make some adjustments to the first release and citation information so definitely let us know if you find anything else and stay tuned. I also see you made some other suggestions so I will flag these for review as well.

danielskatz commented 8 months ago

Thanks - I'm just making comments as I go through this, which are my opinions on first seeing the material. Feel free to do whatever makes sense, including making changes, ignoring my opinions as not those of others, etc.

katblanchette commented 3 months ago

@bressler95tops - Please update. Update #1: Remove the sentence beginning with "For example...", and reword the section to read: "As we've previously shown, different kinds of intellectual property are released using different formal structures. It is important understand these structures and to check with specialist communities when preparing your research plan. Methods for sharing results may follow different standards of practice or may require a special data format for distribution or submission to common repositories." Other two comments appear to be addressed and fixed.

bressler95tops commented 3 months ago

@katblanchette Not sure if you had already seen these but if not, let me know if you think they should be addressed. The locations seem to both be MOOC specific.

For the first additional comment, it seems to be the status text when you choose the correct answer in the Lesson 3 knowledge check (Question 2). This isn't on GitHub since we don't highlight the correct answers for knowledge checks here.

For the second additional comment, it also seems to be the status text when you choose the correct answer in the module assessment (Question 5), this is not present on GitHub since we don't provide the assessment but maybe it should revised there.

bressler95tops commented 3 months ago

Otherwise, I have addressed the main issue mentioned as was requested. You can view the exact change at PR #759. The exact text change is under the files changed tab of the referenced Pull Request. Let me know when you are able to get that updated on the MOOC.

katblanchette commented 3 months ago

@bressler95tops and @danielskatz - Thank you for the content updates and clarifications! Regarding, the MOOC's Module 1 assessment, I have located the question within M1's MOOC assessment and will add this update in text to the Developer's update list. @danielskatz - Double checking with you for your thoughts, should the correct answer read... "Copyright gives permission to apply for a license but is not, itself, a type of license."?

danielskatz commented 3 months ago

Not exactly. Here's what I would say instead

"Copyright gives permission to apply a license but is not, itself, a type of license."

Basically, copyright is ownership (more or less), and the owner can select and apply a license, with some caveats that aren't important to get into at this level.

katblanchette commented 3 months ago

Thank you @danielskatz, for the clarification. I will add your sentence to the MOOC Developers list to update.