Spectral lines

The notation above is a graphic, if cryptic, reminder that with this issue of Spectrum, as well as of all other IEEE publications containing bylined material, the new U.S. copyright law takes effect. Thus, you will find a variation of the above notation at the bottom of the first page of each feature article in this issue. The code permits libraries to make copies of such articles beyond the limits of the new law, for the private use of their patrons, without seeking specific permission from IEEE. The libraries then report their copying activities to a new, nonprofit organization, the Copyright Clearance Center (CCC), which collects fees from the libraries and forwards the payments to IEEE, less $0.25 per copy of each paper, which is retained by the CCC to cover its costs. (The reader´s attention is drawn to the revised ¿Copyright and reprint permissions¿ statement on page 2 of this issue.)