This innovative book provides transdisciplinary analyses of the nature and dynamics of digital game environments whilst tackling the existing fragmentation of academic research.Digital game environments are of increasing economic, social and cultural value. As their influence on diverse facets of life grows, states have felt compelled to intervene and secure some public interests. Yet, the contours of a comprehensive governance model are far from recognisable and governments are grappling with the complexity and fluidity of online games and virtual worlds as private spaces and as experimentation fields for creativity and innovation. This book contributes to a more comprehensive and fine-grained understanding of digital game environments, which is a precondition for addressing any of the pressing governance questions posed. Particular attention is given to the concept and policy objective of cultural diversity, which also offers a unique entry point into the discussion of the appropriate legal regulation of digital games.Governance of Digital Game Environments and Cultural Diversity will be of interest to researchers of media law, internet law and governance, cultural studies, anthropology and sociology. As the book addresses a highly topical theme, it will attract the attention of policymakers at national, regional and international levels and will also serve as a great resource tool for scholars in new media and in particular digital games and virtual worlds.

This timely and pioneering volume provides an ethnically sensitive exploration of the international trade in indigenous cultural heritage. The country reports are informative and insightful; they greatly enrich our understanding of the realities on the ground in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States. The book also contains concrete and practical recommendations. It is essential reading for anyone interested in learning more about the protection and development of indigenous cultural heritage.' - Peter K. Yu, Drake University Law School, US'Christoph Graber, Karolina Kuprecht and Jessica Lai have brought together authors who know the field, given them a set of concrete themes and through meticulous editing have produced an integrated work that has the strength of collective insight. This book sets the standard for researchers working on those difficult issues raised by trade and commerce in indigenous cultural heritage.' - Peter Drahos, Australian National University This topical book brings to the fore new and standard-setting research into the connection between indigenous cultural heritage, international trade and economic development of indigenous peoples. The book is unique in taking a multi-faceted approach to cultural heritage, incorporating discussion on tangible and intangible, moveable and immoveable elements of indigenous peoples' culture. From the perspectives of several international legal fields, including trade law, intellectual property, cultural property, cultural heritage law and human rights, the book explores how indigenous peoples could be empowered to participate more actively in the trade of their cultural heritage without being compelled to renounce important traditional values. The national and local legal realities in four jurisdictions (New Zealand, Australia, United States and Canada) lay the scene for a wide-ranging analysis of various possibilities and proposals on how this might be achieved. International Trade in Indigenous Cultural Heritage will appeal to legal scholars and practitioners interested in cultural property and heritage, intellectual property, trade law and human rights. Policy-makers within governmental departments and international organisations will also find much to interest them in this detailed study as will anyone working in the field of indigenous rights. Contributors: C. Antons, F. Bandarin, C. Bell, K. Bowrey, D. Champagne, P.L.A.H. Chartrand, R.J. Coombe, S. Frankel, M. Girsberger, C.E. Goldberg, C.B. Graber, K. Kuprecht, J.C. Lai, F. Lenzerini, F. Macmillan, B. Muller, J. Scott, K. Siehr, R. Tsosie, J.F. Turcotte, B. Vezina

In the face of increasing globalisation, and a collision between global communication systems and local traditions, this book offers innovative trans-disciplinary analyses of the value of traditional cultural expressions (TCE) and suggests appropriate protection mechanisms for them. It combines approaches from history, philosophy, anthropology, sociology and law, and charts previously untravelled paths for developing new policy tools and legal designs that go beyond conventional copyright models. Its authors extend their reflections to a consideration of the specific features of the digital environment, which, despite enhancing the risks of misappropriation of traditional knowledge and creativity, may equally offer new opportunities for revitalising indigenous peoples' values and provide for the sustainability of TCE. This book will appeal to scholars interested in multidisciplinary analyses of the fragmentation of international law in the field of intellectual property and traditional cultural expressions. It will also be valuable reading for those working on broader governance and human rights issues.

Medien gestalten eine Gesellschaft mindestens so grundlegend wie umgekehrt. Durch ihre Digitalisierung ändern sich die Bedingungen von Individualität, Meinungsbildung und Öffentlichkeit gleichermaßen. Die neuen Intermediäre, über die sich Sozialität im Digitalen konstituiert, sind zugleich die zentralen Akteure der Digitalwirtschaft. Die Möglichkeitsräume der Zukunft werden scheinbar maßgeblich durch sie generiert. Was aber wird dann aus den in der analogen Welt entstandenen Konzepten von Privatheit oder Vielfaltssicherung? Was aus den Kommunikationsgrundrechten? Sind zu ihrem Schutz im Internet gar völlig neue Institutionen erforderlich? In der Gesellschaft der Netzwerke geraten praktisch alle Begriffe des Medienrechts unter Veränderungsdruck. Der Vortrag von Karl-Heinz Ladeur und die Kommentare von Christoph Beat Graber und Albert Ingold machen sich daher auf die Suche nach der Zukunft der Medienverfassung.