This collection of essays critically evaluates the legal framework necessary for the use of autonomous ships in international waters. The work is divided into three parts: Part 1 evaluates how far national shipping regulation, and the public international law background that lies behind it, may need modification and updating to accommodate the use of autonomous ships on international voyages. Part 2 deals with private law and insurance issues such as collision and pollution liability, salvage, limitation of liability and allocation of risk between carrier and cargo interests. Part 3 analyses international convention regimes dealing with maritime safety and other matters, arguing for specific changes in the existing conventions such as SOLAS and MARPOL, which would provide the international framework that is necessary for putting autonomous ships into commercial use. The book also takes the view that amendment of international conventions is important in the case of liability issues, arguing that leaving such matters to national law, particularly issues concerning product liability, could not only restrict or hinder the availability of liability insurance but also hamper the development of technology in this field. Written by internationally-known experts in their respective areas, the book offers a holistic approach to the debate on autonomous ships and makes a timely and important contribution to the literature.

This book stands out from others on media law by emphasising the increasingly important regulatory and European aspects, and focussing less on more traditional common law topics. The authors take a comparative approach, using material from the USA and Commonwealth jurisdictions, as well as looking at relevant aspects of Human Rights law. The commentary is comprehensive and critical, introducing you to the wide range of technical and policy questions which are posed in the field of media law.

Explores the full range of issues - moral, ethical, social, legal, and technological - involved in developing firm controls and best practices to secure the ever growing information infrastructure upon which societies and individuals depend.

The transfer of personal data to the UK raises a multitude of data protection law issues and opens up the view of the key challenges of global data exchange. The study contains an overall view of the regulations on third country transfers under the GDPR and the current state of regulation in the UK. It provides an assessment as to whether and to what extent the UK provides an adequate level of protection within the meaning of the GDPR for personal data transferred from the EU and whether the EU Commission's adequacy decision under the GDPR is compliant with the CJEU's relevant case law. The examination of the UK's data protection law as well as the regulations of the Investigatory Power Act and the extensive onward transfer practice to the USA form a main focus of the study. The alternative data transfer mechanisms and bases (Articles 46, 47 and 49 GDPR) are (also) examined with regard to their practicability for companies. The study also looks at relevant emerging developments and the wider context of the third country regimes of the EU's data protection regime.

Information communication technology (ICT) plays a pivotal role in today s dynamic world. Subsequently, the relationship of law, ethics, politics and social policy on technology access, use and advancement is an important factor in the development of new or existing technologies. Information Communication Technology Law, Protection and Access Rights: Global Approaches and Issues identifies key issues in the relationship between ICT and law, ethics, politics and social policy. This comprehensive reference addresses relevant issues from the practical, legal, ethical, political and social policy perspectives, drawing attention to diverse global approaches to the challenges posed by ICT to access rights.

The book provides a detailed overview and analysis of important EU Internet regulatory challenges currently found in various key fields of law directly linked to the Internet such as information technology, consumer protection, personal data, e-commerce and copyright law. In addition, it aims to shed light on the content and importance of various pending legislative proposals in these fields, and of the Court of Justice of the European Union's recent case law in connection with solving the different problems encountered. The book focuses on challenging legal questions that have not been sufficiently analyzed, while also presenting original thinking in connection with the regulation of emerging legal questions. As such, it offers an excellent reference tool for researchers, policymakers, judges, practitioners and law students with a special interest in EU Internet law and regulation.

Cloud computing continues to expand dramatically and the 'as a Service' model is now both mainstream and ubiquitous. Cloud now encompasses everything from the remote provision of essential computer processing and storage resources, through to delivery of complex business and government services, logistics, healthcare, education, and entertainment. The Covid-19 pandemic provided a striking demonstration of cloud computing's global scalability and resilience, as billions of workers and students switched in a matter of weeks to working and studying 'from home'. This book delivers an accessible analysis of the key legal and regulatory issues that surround cloud computing. Topics covered include contracts for cloud services, information ownership and licensing, privacy and data protection, standards and competition law, law enforcement access to data, and international tax models for cloud and other digital services. The book is organised in four parts. Part I explains what cloud computing is, why it matters, and what non-technical readers need to know about how it works. Part II includes a detailed review of standard contracts for 40 cloud services and highlights key legal and commercial issues that arise in negotiated transactions for cloud services. Ownership of, and access to, 'digital assets' are also explored. Part III focusses on the application of data protection and cybersecurity rules, including an in-depth assessment of the impact of the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) on providers and users of cloud services. Finally, Part IV addresses governance issues relating to public sector use of cloud, access to cloud data by law enforcement authorities, competition rules and standards, and the disruption to global taxation models caused by the rapid shift to cloud services.

This textbook examines the legal and regulatory approaches to digital assets and related technology taken by United States regulators. As cryptoassets and other blockchain applications mature, and regulatory authorities work hard to keep pace, Daniel Stabile, Kimberly Prior and Andrew Hinkes invite students to consider the legal approaches, challenges and tension points inherent in regulating these new products and systems. The authors explore the attempts to apply securities laws and money transmission regulation, the growth of smart contracts, the taxation of digital assets, and the intersection of digital assets and criminal law. This innovative and unique textbook features: Commentary and analysis by three leading attorneys engaged with the regulation of digital assets and blockchain technology, offering practical, real-world acumen A comprehensive overview of the origins, key features and mechanisms of blockchain technology, as well as a broad intimation of the divisive debates that will shape the future of digital assets, to guarantee a thorough introduction to the topic for students Excerpts of authorities and other materials from key regulators, including the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Commodities Futures Trade Commission, and the Internal Revenue Service, to add insight and nuance to classroom discussions. In this, the first textbook of its kind, students of law, business, or technology will find crucial insights into the law and regulation of blockchain and a comprehensive overview of significant public debates on the topic.

Algorithms are now widely employed to make decisions that have increasingly far-reaching impacts on individuals and society as a whole ("algorithmic governance"), which could potentially lead to manipulation, biases, censorship, social discrimination, violations of privacy, property rights, and more. This has sparked a global debate on how to regulate AI and robotics ("governance of algorithms"). This book discusses both of these key aspects: the impact of algorithms, and the possibilities for future regulation.

Providing a scholarly analysis of how to govern and make the right kinds of laws for cyberspace, in this work, Professor Reed investigates the vast majority of cyberspace users who wish to act lawfully and asks whether the current state of law in cyberspace makes it possible for them to do so. If not, why not, and what is the cure?
In this book, Professor Reed puts forward a new model for cyberspace laws which focuses on human actions rather than the technology used. Arguing that, in cyberspace, law works primarily through voluntary obedience rather than fear of enforcement, Professor Reed explains his thoughtful and controversial new viewpoint as to how cyberspace laws should be devised and re-opens the debate as to the value of law for regulating cyberspace and how best to influence the behaviour of cyberspace actors. The only text to comprehensively analyse European cyberspace lawmaking, this book provides a new perspective to the debate about the proper shape and scope of internet laws.

This book focuses on database law (a branch of intellectual property law) and further explores the legal protection currently available for data and data-related products in India. It offers a comparative study of the position of copyright law in protecting databases in the US and EU, while also presenting responses from the Indian database industry and its aspirations regarding the role of copyright law in database protection. India is undoubtedly leading the way as a knowledge economy. Its strengths are its information technology capability and its knowledge society, as well as its booming database industry - aspects that also necessitate the study of the role of law, as well as the protection of data and databases, in India. This book examines the growing importance of copyright law for protecting databases as well as for ensuring access in information societies. The book concludes with a discussion of key principles to be kept in mind in the context of drafting legal regimes for databases in India that will both benefit the database industry and ensure accessibility.

Examining open EDI, an application of electronic commerce, this volume deals with its relationship with law. Electronic commerce applications all allow the transfer of electronic data from one point to another. Open EDI also allows for commercial transactions to take place in a fully-automated and highly-organized trading environment. Open EDI permits "ad hoc" open electronic transactions irrespective of geographical border and jurisdictions among trading partners with no prior trade relationship. By doing this open EDI limits the possibility of using up-front interchange agreements to address legal problems of the interchange. It is therefore necessary to use legal instruments supported by information technology to overcome legal problems. The book advocates the use of possible regulations to address the need of the users to act in such a trading environment uninhibited by basic legal concerns. It concludes that to respond to the challenge of open EDI it is necessary to work towards a new legal framework based on international law and supported by information technology.

The opening of the European postal market to competition is gaining ground as Member States transpose the 1997 postal directive into their national legislation and private postal companies expand their market shares. Moreover, changing regulatory trends (for example, the ever-lower weight and price limits delimitating the scope of the reserved area) encourage further growth in the continuing liberalization of this important network industry. In this informative symposium, 19 practitioners and academics expert in postal sector dynamics present detailed research findings, analysis, and recommendations. The book is based on a conference held in Brussels in February 2001, under the auspices of the Universities of Liege and Ghent and the Free University of Brussels. It provides an in-depth assessment of the challenges presented not only by the prospect of liberalization but also by the transition (of particular significance during the next few years) from the traditional monopoly system. Among the critical matters discussed are the following: terminal dues for international mail; remail provisions; the UPU and WTO constraints on the European postal market; EU Commission decisions and ECJ case law interpreting the postal directive; the effects of EC Treaty Articles 81 and 82 and the Merger Control Regulation; abuse of market power, especially by incumbent public postal operators; the "essential facilities" doctrine; and funding of universal service obligations. In addition, there are specific country reports from five EU Member States (France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, and the United Kingdom) and Norway, bearing witness to the diversity of means adopted to implement the postal directive. Business persons and their counsel, regulatory officials, practitioners, and academics interested in the creation of an EU-wide postal market-as well as in the ongoing reliability and improvement of postal service - should find this text valuable.

An exploration of telecommunications law in the USA. It offers a jargon-free discussion of how electronic media and telecommunications companies are required to price their services, interconnect with customers and other service providers, and respond to competition. This revised edition includes a comprehensive look at the Telecommunications Act of 1996, its sweeping reforms, and the short-term increase in TC regulation complexity resulting from its passage. The volume also covers how the rapid advance of telecommunications technology has drastically altered regulations first developed when TC meant fixed networks, copper wire and mechanical switches.

This volume provides an overview of cyber economic crime in India, analyzing fifteen years of data and specific case studies from Mumbai to add to the limited research in cyber economic crime detection. Centering around an integrated victim-centered approach to investigating a global crime on the local level, the book examines the criminal justice system response to cyber economic crime and proposes new methods of detection and prevention. It considers the threat from a national security perspective, a cybercrime perspective, and as a technical threat to business and technology installations. Among the topics discussed: Changing landscape of crime in cyberspace Cybercrime typology Legal framework for cyber economic crime in India Cyber security mechanisms in India A valuable resource for law enforcement and police working on the local, national, and global level in the detection and prevention of cybercrime, Cyber Economic Crime in India will also be of interest to researchers and practitioners working in financial crimes and white collar crime.

One of the great transitions as the Soviet Union dissolved involved the transformation of state broadcasting in Russia and the Newly Independent States. This book deals with the turmoil associated with struggles in Post-Soviet Russia: struggles for journalistic editorial autonomy, the bloody media wars between the Yeltsin government and the legislature, the role of the media in the coup, and the role of the United States, other governments and non-government organizations in shaping the new media. The story in which the media oscillates between independence and renewed modes of control.

This book presents groundbreaking discussions on e-residency, cryptocurrencies, scams, smart contracts, 3D printing, software agents, digital evidence and e-governance at the intersection of law, legal policies and modern technologies. The reader benefits from cutting-edge analyses that offer ideas and solutions to some of the most pressing issues caused by e-technologies. This collection is a useful tool for law and IT practitioners and an inspiring source for interdisciplinary research. Besides serving as a practical guideline, this book also reflects theoretical dimensions of future perspectives, as new technologies are not meant to change common values but to accommodate them.

Of the major industries formerly characterized by a high degree of state monopoly control, telecommunications is proving to be increasingly susceptible to market failure. The fundamental causes of this difficulty, according to the author of this far-reaching analysis, are two-fold: abusive behaviour of incumbents aimed at foreclosing competitors, and the regulatory challenges posed by the technological convergence of the telecommunications, media, and IT sectors. The answers, Dr. Nikolinakos shows with extraordinary rigour and detail, lie in the enforcement of specially-crafted competition rules and proportionate, targeted sectoral regulation. This book presents the most thorough going model yet offered to ensure the emergence of a genuinely competitive electronic communications industry in Europe. In the course of its in-depth analysis, the discussion focuses on such factors as the following: EU telecommunications policy as revealed in liberalization and harmonization legislative measures; the EU electronic communications framework; case law covering issues of refusal to supply and the essential facilities doctrine; application of Article 82 EC to bottlenecks; specific types of an undertaking s unilateral behaviour that may often occupy NRAs and competition authorities in the context of their ex post competition law investigations under Article 82 EC; strategic alliances and mergers in the move toward multimedia; access to premium content and the emergence of new media; the scope of content regulation in the online environment; and broadband (regulation of local loop unbundling and bitstream access). The book also provides practical guidance on issues concerning the complicated market definition and analysis mechanism promulgated by the European Commission's Recommendation and Guidelines. Numerous legislative and policy documents are presented in full detail, with analysis taking into account the comments delivered by all interested parties (e.g., the European Commission, national competent authorities, and market players such as fixed incumbent operators, alternative operators, internet service providers, mobile operators, cable operators, associations of undertakings, and associations of consumers). No other book will provide interested readers with such crucial insight into the reasons behind the Commission s strategy and the often contradictory interests of market players. Because the argument is scrupulously grounded in informed awareness of existing and emerging realities, this landmark volume will quickly establish itself as a resource to be consulted and followed for many years to come.

As information is both the source and the product of all legal work, legal practitioners are crucially dependent on good access to legal information. The legal databases that are currently available to store and retrieve statutes, judicial decisions, and legal literature, however, often pose problems to the users with the effect that they cannot find the information they need. To a large extent, these problems can be attributed to the limitations of the traditional Boolean query mechanism used in text databases which is difficult for users to operate. As a possible solution for these problems, in this book an architecture is proposed for an intelligent interface to legal databases. An intelligent interface uses knowledge of the task domain of legal practitioners to operate as an intelligent intermediary between the user and the database. This work addresses the most pressing issues that need to be resolved to allow for the development of advanced user-friendly legal databases. It involves a study into the nature of legal information-handling and the representation of legal knowledge. In addition to the theoretical study, it is demonstrated, with the development of a prototype, how the architecture can be used for the development of practical legal information retrieval systems. The results of these studies are interpreted to discuss a number of possible applications for the intelligent interface architecture, including the publication of government information and the organisation of legal information on the Internet.