Legal Issues in E-Research: Dataset Acquisition, Accessibility and Annotation E-Research Technologies Project (Dart)

Abstract

The DART project was an integral part of a new generation of e-Research initiatives, both in Australia and internationally, that have the potential to transform university research. The Report on legal issues clarifies that the differences between the emerging e-Research environment and the previous environment create new legal issues. The report also confirms that legal problems that exist with current research practices will become more prominent in the new environment. If e-Research is to fulfil its true potential, researchers must be satisfied that the benefits of involvement outweigh any associated risks. A prime area of risk involves legal issues that escalate into disputes that involve lengthy and costly resolution. Minimisation of this risk is only possible after identification of the potential legal problems that might arise within the e-Research environment. The legal problems arise mainly because e-Research facilitates new forms of remote research collaboration across institutions, across national borders and across academic disciplines. Importantly, the new forms of collaboration can involve researchers with no established legal or research relationships.