Have you ever seen this clever IMDB to MARC converter? Simply type in the IMDB movie number or title and a MARC record is generated. This is particularly useful for cataloging a DVD collection in a public library, but it inspired me to think about how often times the information we seek already exists. This tool merely reformats the metadata already populating the IMDB record and translates it to MARC.
Think about the possibilities for automatically populating metadata fields in a digital asset management system or in creating a customized database. What other websites might contain hidden gems? Wikipedia, Amazon, Getty Images...
Where did this converter come from? Anyone know if there are any copyright issues involved in converting records from IMDB to MARC & then using them in your catalog (like those associated with the OCLC debacle)? If we can legally use this, it might save me from a future of carpal tunnel syndrome!
ReplyDeleteActually, the first version of that tool was aimed at Amazon:http://amazon.libcat.org/cgi-bin/azorder.plThe IMDB version came about because someone asked on a list: Hey, I wonder if that could be done for DVDs? In fact, I believe the Amazon one will pick up DVDs as well, but at the moment the site seems to be overwhelmed due to the interest generated by this post. If that is the case, we should let a thousand converters bloom to spread the load.
ReplyDeleteContact info is at http://libcat.org/The IMDB site says:"All content included on this site, such as text, graphics, logos, button icons, images, audio clips, video clips, digital downloads, data compilations, and software, is the property of IMDb or its content suppliers and protected by United States and international copyright laws. The compilation of all content on this site is the exclusive property of IMDb and protected by U.S. and international copyright laws."Note that it specifies "data compilations" -- US copyright law does not cover facts, just some compilations of facts (e.g. an entire database, not the individual entries). That's all we know.
ReplyDelete