The present dissertation studies the uses and benefits of the digitization for the purposes of preservation and management of cultural heritage. The digitization process offers various and limitless possibilities for the preservation and dissemination of cultural heritage. In accordance with the new challenges and demands of the modern Information Society, it creates new and innovative ways of mass access of the academic society and the wider public to cultural content and material, without the physical boundaries and obstacles of the conventional means of access. Although it is undeniable that digitization contributes significantly to the free circulation of ideas and information and plays a vital role in the pursued construction of a globalized society of knowledge, the implications and legal issues that it raises are rather considerable as well. The existing legislation deals with issues of classification of cultural works as public domain or copyright protected. However, it is apparent that despite this legislation, the boundaries between the two statuses can often be the object of disagreement and speculation, whereas the rights of the public for access to knowledge and the economic and moral rights of the right holders of the works in question often come into conflict. Nevertheless, the harmonization of the rights of these two stakeholders is vital, since the use of New Media and technologies (part of which is the use of digitized material) is the key principal for a sustainable and successful cultural industry.
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