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Fitzgerald, Brian --- "Reports/Reviews" [2000] JlLawInfoSci 9; (2000-2001) 11(1) Journal of Law, Information and Science 125

BOOK REVIEW

Computer, Internet and Electronic Commerce Law

BY BARRY SOOKMAN,

Carswell Canada Four Volume

Looseleaf Price: $CAN 375

ISBN 0-459-32911-1

Recently when visiting the University of Western Ontario Law School in London Ontario, Canada I was pleasantly surprised to stumble across this excellent work by one of Canada’s leading E Commerce attorneys. Having spent many long hours teaching and researching in the area of Internet and E Commerce Law it is always exciting to come across a resource that covers a wide range of topics and is comprehensive and accurate.

Computer, Internet and Electronic Commerce Law which comes in the form of a four volume looseleaf service has its base in Canadian law but contains useful and extensive comparative analysis of law in the USA, Europe and assorted Commonwealth countries. The eleven chapters of the work (presented across three looseleaf volumes) cover issues relating to intellectual property, technology contracts and licensing, crime, jurisdiction, e contracting, e money, e evidence and privacy, in the context of computers (hardware and software) and the Internet. A topic not covered in any great depth is that of content regulation. The third volume contains an incredibly extensive glossary of terms/dictionary which runs in excess of 100 pages in length. The fourth looseleaf volume contains primary materials relating to the earlier volumes, such as legislation. The chapters are well presented and heavily footnoted providing a very useful research resource. The analysis goes well beyond a mere summary of the issues and would be of use and interest to any practitioners or academics in this area.

This is an excellent service and certainly one of the leading works on these topics in the world. Future editions will need to consider in more detail issues of digital entertainment and anti-circumvention laws such as the DMCA. It would also be good to see a scene setting introductory chapter dealing with issues of Internet governance and the role of law in the digital environment.

As Internet and E Commerce law knows no geographical boundaries a resource like this which provides first rate local and comparative analysis, is invaluable.

Review by Professor Brian Fitzgerald, Southern Cross University Law School, Australia


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