Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about this as well as computer law at http://www.focusonip.com
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A decade or so ago there was no such thing as computer law. This niche of the legal system has come into being out of necessity with the proliferation of the Internet and the issues that come along with the technology that makes worldwide communication and transactions possible.
Traditional law does not cover many of the issues that occur in the online realm. Therefore it is crucial that we have a particular branch of law that exists to deal with legal problems that may arise by the very nature of the Internet and are not able to be covered by local jurisdictions.
There may be disagreements over copyright or ownership of a domain or website which cannot be resolved due to the parties being in different states or even different countries. The problem that arises here is that there are complex problems in deciding what state or country's law and jurisdiction will have the authority to resolve the issue. In situations like this the area of law known as "Conflicts of Law" comes into play.
The increasingly complex area of computer law is exceedingly demanding in its educational requirements for attorneys who practice in this niche. The term "computer law" is kind of a misnomer since it is really the information on the computer such as software, personal info, and possible trade secrets that are the issue as well as the possibility of international disputes over domain names and copyright violations. For these reasons, those who practice computer law are usually the same attorneys who specialize in Intellectual Property Law, also known as IP Law, which covers trademarks, patents, copyrights, and trade secrets. The U.S. Patent Office requires attorneys practicing before it to hold a bachelor's degree in the areas of engineering or science at the very least.
Some traditional areas of law are evolving to include ever-changing computer laws. Early on it was declared that software would be classified as "goods", but the difference between normal goods and software "goods" is that one only owns the media that the software is stored on and a license to the use of the software which is now covered under the Uniform Commercial Code.
Those who hack into computer systems without authorization and use that computer's resources or steal information from it are guilty of pretty much the same thing as what traditional law would call burglary. However, since by definition burglary means entering an actual physical residence, specific laws were added to cover this offense.
One of the biggest problems with the Internet and one that grows even larger annually is that of copyright theft and piracy. Anyone with a computer and access to the Internet can easily steal the intellectual property of another. Additionally, the piracy of media such as movies and music is an enormous problem that is plaguing those industries today. It is a fact that the area of computer law will continue to expand and be used more in the future as the use of the Internet to commit crimes continues to grow.



The Beginning of the Cataloging Code
By: Samuel Bryant | 27/11/2008The first significant cataloging code was published in 1841. The realization that cooperation and standardization was superior to the earlier form of cataloging encouraged the compilation and distribution of widespread rules.
Tips for Authors Who Need More Time to Write
By: Danny Stooksbury | 25/11/2008Is time on your side? I’ve spoken to dozens of people who have told me about their great ideas for books but never followed through with a manuscript. There are plenty of excuses for why these could-have-been authors never were. However, lack of time is without a doubt the most common pretext. But time doesn’t have to be your enemy. Don’t sell yourself short. If you are focused on your task, you can achieve amazing thing in the flash.
In the Lap of the Gods 24
By: Steve Morgan | 24/11/2008Steve is puzzled as to what is motivating a teacher. The answer is all too apparent.
Hurry Down Sunshine
By: Michael Greenberg | 18/11/2008The writing of a memoir is a tricky proposition, and not only because the form has been dragged through the mud by its own practitioners in recent years. Philip Roth has a passage in his novel The Counterlife about "the strange bind" in which the family members of a writer find themselves: "Their own material is articulated for them by someone else who, in his voracious, voyeuristic using-up of their lives, gets there first but doesn't always get it right."
The Frustrations of Dealing With Officialdom
By: Mark Coulthard | 18/11/2008Trying to get an obviously wrong housing material accepted as a mistake.
In the Lap of the Gods 23
By: Steve Morgan | 12/11/2008Steve continues his fight against the headmaster and his Mother is appointed seamstress of the school!
Write Your Memoir: How to Write About What Troubles You the Most
By: Melinda Copp | 12/11/2008Everyone has a story to tell, and unfortunately those stories aren’t always pleasant. What makes memoirs and other personal stories of recovery and triumph so appealing is that struggle is universal. And writing about it is one way—a great way—to make sense out of what troubles you the most.
Writing Classes – How They Can Accelerate Your Writing Progress
By: annette young | 12/11/2008Writing classes can accelerate the whole learning and development process for all writers offering opportunities to acquire additional skills as well as to meet other like-minded people.
How To Avoid Legal Trouble From Trademark Infringement When You Buy A Domain Name
By: Gregg Hall | 23/02/2007 | Non-FictionSo you have a hot idea for a website, or maybe you want to capitalize on a hot new product that has just been released. There are some things that you will want to know first before you get yourself in a lot of hot water.
How To Protect What You Create With A Copyright
By: Gregg Hall | 15/02/2007 | Non-FictionIn the United States there are millions of people every year who create original music, research, or write books and other forms of creative expression. These are covered by the term intellectual property and are given protection under copyright laws. If you are a publisher, writer, or editor it is crucial that you are knowledgeable about copyright issues more than ever.
The Difference Between Trade Secrets And Trademarks
By: Gregg Hall | 15/02/2007 | Non-FictionSome people get confused between trade secrets and trademarks. A trademark is something that is publicly recognized and known as being officially associated with a particular company. In contrast a trade secret can be a much more broad definition and by its very name is not made public.
A Closer Look At Some Of The Investment Myths In The Foreign Exchange Markets
By: Gregg Hall | 13/02/2007 | InvestingJust like anything else there is a learning curve plus there is a lot of research and strategy that goes on behind the scenes to make a trade successful. I have written this article to help you avoid some of the more common investment myths so you will know what to realistically expect when you begin trading.
How To Avoid Some Common Forex Scams
By: Gregg Hall | 11/02/2007 | FinanceThere is an old saying that states, "A Fool and his Money are Easily Parted". With the proper strategy and resources from which to educate yourself, there is no reason to be foolish.
Pattern Recognition And Why You Need To Learn It To Be Successful In Forex Trading
By: Gregg Hall | 10/02/2007 | FinancePattern recognition is a method that will help you to be a much more successful trader. Just as with regular stock trading, the foreign currency exchange markets will very often repeat certain patterns over time.
How To Keep From Losing When Trading In The Forex Markets
By: Gregg Hall | 10/02/2007 | FinanceJust as with any investment, the entire goal of investing in the foreign currency exchange market is to make a profit. The thing you must always remember though, is that just like with any other market investment, you can also lose. The reason that savings accounts and insurance policies pay such low rates of interest is because of the lack of risk.
How To Choose The Correct Forex Trading Software For You
By: Gregg Hall | 10/02/2007 | FinanceJust like with stock trading, there are a large number of software programs you can use to make your foray into the foreign currency exchange markets. You will find that you have two basic choices, either web based or desktop based programs.