Digital Communications Law (1-year Online Subscription)

CHAPTER 1 - INFORMATION INFRASTRUCTURE AS A SOURCE OF LEGAL ISSUES

• Introduction and Nature of Problem
• Basic Technologies, Terms and Concepts
• Other Parts of the Infrastructure and the Historical Evolution towards the Internet
• Collapse of the Four Traditional Legal Categories
• Commercializing the Internet
• Adapting Legal Doctrine

CHAPTER 2 - ACCESS TO NETWORKS AND FACILITIES

• Introduction and Description of the Problem
• Sources of Right
• Common Carrier Obligations
• Antitrust
• Eminent Domain and Condemnation of Intellectual Property
• Enforcing Express and Implied Contracts
• Privileges and Immunities
• Access to Domain Name Registration Systems
• Sample Statement of Access Rights
• Sample Access Agreement
• Sample Electronic Publishing Agreement

CHAPTER 3 - PRIVACY

• Introduction and Description of the Problem
• Legal Relationships and Interests
• Common-Law Invasion of Privacy
• Electronic Surveillance
• Computer Fraud and Abuse Act
• Protection of Particular Domains
• Unsolicited Communications
• Constitutional Protection
• State Data Protection Laws
• Waiver of Privacy Rights
• European Data Protection
• Future U.S. Legal Initiatives
• Privacy Under 1996 Act
• CALEA
• Compliance Procedures

CHAPTER 4 - LIABILITY FOR HARMFUL COMMUNICATIONS

• Introduction and Description of the Problem
• Types of Information Torts
• Strict Products Liability
• Contract Rights
• Fair Credit Reporting Act Obligations
• False Advertising and Other Consumer Fraud
• Trespass
• Intermediaries
• Liability Resulting from Self-Help Remedies
• Disclaimer Language

CHAPTER 5 - LIABILITY FOR SERVICE FAILURES OR FAILURES OF PRODUCTS TO PERFORM

• Introduction and Description of the Problem
• Breach of Contract
• Coverage by UCC Article 2
• UCITA
• Warranty Concepts
• Licensing
• Relationship Among Contract, Warranty, and Tort Theories
• Fraudulent Misrepresentation
• Consumer Protection
• Damages
• Sample Disclaimer Language
• Checklist for License Agreement

CHAPTER 6 - CONSTITUTIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Overview of Constitutional Concepts
• First Amendment: Introduction
• First Amendment as a Shield: Blocking Mandates for Inclusion of Content
• First Amendment as Limitation on Private Rights and Remedies
• Prior Restraint and Copyright
• Conflict Between First Amendment and Antitrust Principles
• First Amendment as a Sword: Source of Private Duty
• Fourth Amendment Issues
• Substantive Due Process and Equal Protection
• Property Rights
• Burdens on Interstate Commerce
• Publicity for Convicted Sex Offenders
• Double Jeopardy

CHAPTER 7 - REGULATION

• Nature of the Problem and Introduction
• Legal Overview
• Common Carrier Regulation
• Cable Regulation
• Radio Regulation
• Antitrust Limitations on Pricing
• Disabled Access
• FCC Regulation of the Internet
• Net Neutrality
• Future Federal Legislation
• State Regulation
• Actions by Other Federal Agencies
• Electric Power Grid Access
• Network Self-Governance
• Consolidation and Industry Structure

CHAPTER 8 - INTEROPERABILITY AND COMPATIBILITY

• Description of the Problem and Introduction
• Major Standards for Internet-based Infrastructure
• Infrastructure and Interoperability Requirements
• Economics of Standard Setting
• U.S. Standards Bodies
• International Wireless Standards
• Legal Framework for Imposing Standards
• Private Standards Agreements Under Sherman Act
• Federal Contract Requirements
• Encryption Infrastructure
• Functional Versus Technical Standards

CHAPTER 9 - ELECTRONIC COMMERCE: CONTRACT FORMATION, PAYMENT SYSTEMS AND AUTHENTICATION

• Nature of the Problem
• UCITA
• Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act
• Uniform Electronic Transaction Act (UETA)
• Agency
• Formalities: Traditional Solutions to Offer-and-Acceptance and Interpretation Problems
• Encryption and Digital Signatures
• Separate Trading Partner Agreements
• Electronic Funds Transfer
• The UCC and the Move Away from Document-Based Commercial Transaction Systems
• Payment Mechanisms
• Offering Securities Through the Internet
• Facilitating Government Through the Internet
• Electronic Auctions Under Article 9
• Gambling
• General E-Business Issues

CHAPTER 10 - INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

• The Problem: Information as a Commodity
• Economics of Intellectual Property Copyright
• Trademark and Unfair Competition
• Trade Secret
• Patent
• Web Page Linking/Framing as Infringement
• Preemption
• Choice of Law
• State Liability for Infringement
• Alternative Protection Methods

CHAPTER 11 - PUBLIC INFORMATION

• Introduction and Description of the Problem
• Dissemination Duties
• Access Rights: Freedom of Information Acts
• Intellectual Property and Exclusive Arrangements
• Trademark Protection
• Public Contracting
• Constitutional Issues
• Antitrust Arguments
• International Issues
• Pricing Public Information
• Strategies for Private Sector Publishers
• Internet Voting
• Government Web Sites
• Draft Principles for Public Information Policy

CHAPTER 12 - CIVIL DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND PROCEDURE

• Overview
• Pleading
• Personal Jurisdiction
• Venue
• Enforcement of Judgments
• Service of Process
• Electronic Filing
• Choice of Law
• Model Forum Selection and Choice of Law Clauses
• Electronic Discovery
• Evidence
• Juror Recruitment via Internet
• Video Trials
• State Immunity
• Injunction Notices
• Statutes of Limitations

CHAPTER 13 - CRIMINAL LAW

• Introduction and Nature of Issues
• Substantive Crimes
• Entrapment
• Procedure
• Search Warrants and Subpoenas
• Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act
• Foreign Searches
• Investigatory Data
• Damages Actions Under 42 U.S.C. Section 1983 for Misuse of Criminal Justice Powers
• Seizures and Forfeitures

CHAPTER 14 - INTERNATIONAL LAW AND TRADE

• Introduction and Overview
• Institutional Arrangements
• Types of International Law
• Relationship Between International Law and Domestic Law
• GATT and WTO
• NAFTA
• European Union
• WIPO Trademarks
• Competition Regulation
• Export Controls
• Border Controls
• International Electronic Money Transfer
• New Structures for International Regulation of the Internet
• International Arbitration
• Access to Infrastructure in Other Countries
• Cyber Warfare and Cyber Terrorism

CHAPTER 15 - TAXATION OF INTERNET COMMERCE

• Introduction Taxation Within the United States
• Advisory Commission on Electronic Commerce
• International Taxation
• Internet Tax Moratorium

Table of Cases