COMMUNICATIONS

These days, the digitalization of society proceeds apace. Computers are now deployed in all corners of daily life. The humanities are no exception. So many sources are now searchable on a computer.

However, this situation is one which risks infringing upon the rights of authors. And this is not just a matter of text. Photographs are now readily accessible. The rights of photographers, too, are likely to be compromised. The same applies to the portrait rights of subjects captured on camera.

Recently the protection of such rights is being reinforced. This trend may well be underpinned by advances in digitalization. With digital searching, various rights are more easily infringed upon—a situation that must be addressed. Such considerations drive the reinforcement of rights. As the digital “waves” has grown greater, the “breakwaters” protecting rights have become more substantial.

Recently, even within the humanities, restrictions on data usage have become increasingly common. If this has been prompted by the growth of the digital humanities, then it would be rather ironic. The very mechanisms designed to increase convenience within the humanities are now getting in the way.