Daniel Raff - Faculty Research in Knowledge@Wharton

Will the Online Book Publishing Flap Rewrite Copyright Law?

Wed, 08 Feb 2006 16:49:25 EST

The latest frontier in the digital content revolution -- efforts by Google, Amazon and others to turn millions of books into bytes that can be easily searched, accessed and sold by the page -- could redefine copyright law and change the way knowledge is shared around the world, say experts at Wharton. Prompted by Google's controversial move to scan copyrighted works, the issue leaves many unresolved questions: Does the greater good of putting books online outweigh current copyright law? Is Google's complete scanning a violation of copyright law even if the end user doesn't get much more than a small excerpt of the work in a search result? Should Google be required to get publishers' permission before scanning content? Perhaps most importantly, is copyright law designed for printed materials still valid in the digital age?

U.S. Steel Users Claim Tariffs �Protect a Few at the Expense of the Majority�

Wed, 12 Feb 2003 00:00:00 EST

U.S. steel users are paying about a third more for their raw material than they did a year ago, forcing thousands of job losses and leading some to seek cheaper steel from overseas suppliers. Others are threatening to move their own businesses offshore, a decision that could result in a permanent loss of business for U.S. steel makers. The surge in steel prices has been caused, in part, by the Bush administration�s controversial tariff program which, depending on your point of view, is either a bid for votes in steelmaking states, or a necessary adjustment to steel prices that had been held too low for too long.

Webvan Finds that Shopping for Food Online Hasn�t Clicked with Consumers

Mon, 19 Mar 2001 14:05:38 EST

Given the dismal record of American companies that offer online grocery shopping, it should come as no surprise that the last big player, Webvan Group Inc., is on the ropes as well. Is this a business that simply cannot work, or did Webvan just do it wrong? Wharton faculty offer some opinions.

Texaco Hitches Its Star to Chevron

Wed, 08 Nov 2000 14:40:41 EST

When Texaco agreed to be acquired by Chevron earlier this month, the deal reflected what has become a new reality in the oil business: That big oil companies need to be even bigger today to compete globally, and the way to get there is through economies of scale. Look for consolidated corporate functions, some layoffs, new synergies and sustained long-term growth. And the impact of the new ChevronTexaco on gas and home heating oil bills? It�s too soon to tell, say Wharton faculty members and a Wall Street analyst, but it�s one area government antitrust economists are sure to scrutinize before approving the deal.