Media law as a means of organization in the real world and the virtual world continues to gain in economic and cultural importance. The global market and the networking of information and communication processes require an improved legal framework for media law in the 21st century. It is not merely production conditions that have been impacted by the digital revolution, but the manner of marketing media products and the use of such are increasingly being conducted in the Internet. In addition to the classical fields of media law, such as press, broadcasting and film, these five volumes also take into account issues pertaining to sports, theater and electronic media. The presentation includes media law-related aspects of the law of competition, telemedia law and copyright law as well as the laws regarding broadcasting, press, personality rights, telecommunications, data protection, samples/design, and domain rights; licensing contract law, the law of publication, media criminal law, photography law as well as media cartel law are also discussed. This complete presentation of media law particularly addresses the European legal framework. Attorneys, legal scholars and media experts comprehensively and systematically address the processes in society relevant to media law in their contributions to the five volumes of this handbook.

Volume 1 presents the full range of European media law with a practical orientation. It covers EU directive policy along with the problems encountered in translating Community law into national contexts. In addition, the Handbook discusses issues related to the practical enforcement of claims and licensing rights in the realm of intellectual property.