The focus of this book is the regulatory framework of the internet and e-commerce. It considers how the law has developed in the context of rapid technological change and analyses how it is being applied to define rights and obligations in relation to the online infrastructure, content and practices.

This authoritative work describes the nature and growth of the law of the Internet and explains the legal obligations, opportunities, rights, and risks inherent in this complex medium.

The steady growth of internet commerce over the past twenty years has given rise to a host of new legal issues in a broad range of fields. This authoritative Research Handbook comprises chapters by leading scholars which will provide a solid foundation for newcomers to the subject and also offer exciting new insights that will further the understanding of e-commerce experts. Key topics covered include: contracting, payments, intellectual property, extraterritorial enforcement, alternative dispute resolution, social media, consumer protection, network neutrality, online gambling, domain name governance, and privacy.

Social Media and Electronic Commerce Law investigates the challenges facing legal practitioners and commercial parties in this dynamic field.

The last ten years have seen the internet and e-commerce emerge as central features of our commercial, social and cultural life. Developments such as Web 2.0, the semantic web, e-government strategies, user generated content, virtual worlds and online social networks have re-shaped the way we communicate, interact and transact. The focus of this book is the regulatory framework of the internet and e-commerce. It considers how the law has developed in the context of rapid technological change and analyses how it is being applied to define rights and obligations in relation to the online infrastructure, content and practices. It offers an extensive, detailed and current analysis of several key areas of internet and e-commerce law which have undergone significant change in recent years: copyright in digital content, patents for software and e-business methods, domain names and trade marks, electronic contracting, privacy, cybercrime, taxation of internet businesses, liability of internet intermediaries and regulation of online content. This new text is essential for business and law students studying Internet and E-Commerce law as well as information technology students and practitioners.

Written specifically for legal practitioners and students, this book examines the concerns, laws and regulations involved in Electronic Commerce. In just a few years, commerce via the World Wide Web and other online platforms has boomed, and a new field of legal theory and practice has emerged. Legislation has been enacted to keep pace with commercial realities, cyber-criminals and unforeseen social consequences, but the ever-evolving nature of new technologies has challenged the capacity of the courts to respond effectively. This book addresses the legal issues relating to the introduction and adoption of various forms of electronic commerce. From intellectual property, to issues of security and privacy, Alan Davidson looks at the practical changes for lawyers and commercial parties whilst providing a rationale for the underlying legal theory.

The Internet is changing the way people communicate and the way companies dobusiness. At the same time, it is transforming the law. Whether you buy or sellgoods and services online, publish information via the World-Wide Web, exchangemessages via e-mail, electronically distribute digital content, or makepayments online, you will be faced with new legal questions that arechallenging businesses and attorneys alike. Written for the layperson, but extensively annotated for the experiencedlawyer, Online Law provides clear guidance through the rapidlydeveloping law of electronic commerce. Based on sound legal principles, thiscomprehensive handbook draws on the extensive knowledge of experiencedattorneys at the forefront of today's emerging online legal issues. Online Law provides answers to the toughest online legal questions,such as: What rules govern advertising online? What are the legal issues involved in setting up a Web site? How do you create and enforce online contracts? How can you use digital signatures to facilitate electronic commerce? Who owns the rights to online information? When can you "borrow" online materials from others? What are the rules for using sexually explicit material on the Net? What constitutes illegal conduct online? Can employers legally read their employees' e-mail? A collaborative effort, Online Law was written by the attorneysof the Information Technology Law Department at McBride Baker & Coles andsponsored by the Software Publishers Association. Thomas J. Smedinghoff, J.D., editor and lead author of OnlineLaw, cochairs the Information Technology Law Department of the Chicagolaw firm of McBride Baker & Coles, chairs the Electronic Commerce andInformation Technology Division of the American Bar Association, and serves asintellectual property counsel to the Software Publishers Association. He is theauthor of The Software Publishers Association Legal Guide to Multimedia(Addison-Wesley, 1994). The Software Publishers Association is the principaltrade association of the PC software industry. With over 1,200 membercompanies, it has been a leading force in fostering electronic commerce andprotecting intellectual property in a digital world. 0201489805B04062001