Prof. Sean Flynn Coauthors Two Chapters in Building Legal Literacies for Text Data Mining

Aneeta Mathur-Ashton
August 11, 2021

Sean Flynn

PIJIP Director Sean Flynn and Loyola University of Chicago Professor Matthew Sag have coauthored two chapters in the book Building Legal Literacies for Text Data Mining.

Their first chapter, International and cross-border copyright, details international copyright exceptions that impact what researchers conducting AI can or cannot legally do. The chapter explains comparative and international copyright law, allowing readers to identify potential areas of concern and understand how to structure cross-border collaboration in TDM research “without taking on unnecessary risks.”

Next, Technological protection measures, details how Technological Protection Measures may impact researchers’ ability to do AI research. The chapter examines issues raised by the anti-circumvention provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act and the application of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act and similar “anti-hacking” laws.

The book contains contributions by Scott Althaus, David Bamman, Sara Benson, Brandon Butler, Beth Cate, Kyle K. Courtney, Maria Gould, Cody Hennesy, Eleanor Dickson Koehl, Thomas Padilla, Stacy Reardon, Matthew Sag, Rachael Samberg, Brianna L. Schofield, Megan Senseney, Timothy Vollmer, and Glen Worthey.  It explores the legal literacies covered during the virtual Building Legal Literacies for Text Data Mining Institute - including copyright (both U.S. and international law), technological protection measures, privacy, and ethical considerations.  

The book also explores how the Institute developed and delivered the 4-day institute. It provides ideas for hosting shorter literacy teaching sessions as well as reflections and take-aways on the Institute.

The book is open access and can be read here.

Additional information on the book as well as access to the white paper that describes the Building Legal Literacies for Text Data Mining institute’s origins and goals, project overview and activities, and reflections and possible follow-on actions can be read here.