BKNETLAW.RVW   950406

"NetLaw:  Your Rights in the Online World", Lance Rose, 1995, 0-07-
882077-4, U$19.95
%A   Lance Rose
%C   2600 Tenth St., Berkeley, CA   94710
%D   1995
%G   0-07-882077-4
%I   McGraw-Hill
%O   U$19.95 510-548-2805 800-227-0900
%O  http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0078820774/robsladesinterne
%P   372
%T   "NetLaw:  Your Rights in the Online World"

Very similar to his earlier "Syslaw" (cf. BKSYSLAW.RVW), this is a
general guide to various legal aspects of life online.  The major
changes are the broadening of the scope from BBS level systems to
include online services and the Internet, and very handy (and
interesting) sidebars, which give a thumbnail sketch version of the
topic under discussion.  These usually include a reference to some
specific case.

Chapters address the issues of censorship, contracts, commerce, and
copyright.  Chapter four, which deals with the responsibility of the
system operator in light of online dangers, does touch on the topic of
malicious software.  I was disappointed that this is limited to a not
terribly accurate defining of terms, and almost no discussion of the
admittedly confused legal situation.  Further chapters cover privacy,
crime, search and seizure, and a rather disappointing chapter on
obscenity.  Appendices include some very useful sample contracts, and
various US laws.

Given recent developments which have strongly indicated the
international nature of the net and international legal ramifications,
it is discouraging to see that Rose still presents only a limited and
US-centric view.  However, the general principles he describes are
held in common law, and this book should at least provide guidance for
the broader online world.

copyright Robert M. Slade, 1995   BKNETLAW.RVW   950406