GigaLaw Guide to Internet Law (Paperback)

by Doug Isenberg (Author) "Playboy Enterprises, Inc.-yes, that Playboy-is one of the more active participants in Internet law, filing numerous lawsuits against people and companies that use the well-known..." (more)
Key Phrases: website development agreement, other interactive computer services, committing copyright infringement, First Amendment, United States, Supreme Court (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
Isenberg is a practicing attorney, speaker, and founder of GigaLaw.com, a web site about Internet law. His new work is written for those who need to understand the laws applicable to electronic commerce. Isenberg reviews the laws on copyright, patent, trademarks, privacy, free speech, contracts, and employment in the context of online business. He reports on the way the courts and administrative agencies are construing the law by featuring the facts and disposition of prominent cases. The examples illustrate how electronic businesses can structure themselves for compliance. There is discussion of Canadian and European Union privacy rules. Several chapters are written by coauthors with expertise in disciplines such as patent or employment law. This covers some of the same territory as Dianne J. Brinson's Internet Law and Business Handbook, but it is valuable for treating recent developments. Highly recommended for business collections. Joan Pedzich, Harris Beach LLP, Rochester, NY
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Think law is synonymous with soporific? Throw aside any and all preconceptions about legal parameters and restrictions and must-dos, because Atlanta-based attorney Isenberg--and proprietor of the five-star Gigalaw Web site--will educate, inform, and engage all comers. Each of the seven sections--copyright, domain names and trademarks, patent law, privacy, free speech, contract law, and employment law--begins with a case (usually a well-known plaintiff or defendant such as Playboy or Barnes and Noble), describes the bones of contention, and summarizes the lessons learned. Then, partly in question-and-answer format, partly in straight prose, he and his contributors talk about the Internet ramifications of that topic. In copyright, for instance, Webster's needs to take care with framing and linking. Intriguing factoids appear: about how elimination of spam and the First Amendment don't mix, Amazon.com's special "i-click" patent, and even new acronyms like COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998) and their meanings. An every-person's essential. Barbara Jacobs
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Random House Trade Paperbacks; 2002 Random House Trade Pbk. Ed edition (October 22, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812991982
• ISBN-13: 978-0812991987
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #668,698 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Cyberlaw Roadmap, October 29, 2002

By	Andrew B. King (Ann Arbor, MI United States) - See all my reviews

This book is a great introduction to the emerging issues of Internet-related law. Everything from copyright law, domain names and trademarks, patents, privacy, free speech, contracts, and employment law are covered in this latin- and lingo-free guide to Net law. Developers will be especially interested in the sections on copyright, domain names and trademarks, and contracts.

For example, hiring a design firm without a contract may mean that they own the copyright to your web site. The proper copyright notice must include the original year the work was published, not just the current one.

Relevant laws are cited and explained, including the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, The Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act, The Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy, and the "E-Signature" Act.

The book starts well, citing copyright (Playboy v. Sanfilippo) and cybersquatting (Electronics Boutique v. Zuccarini) case studies. I found myself chuckling at the audacity of the defendants in their brazen copying of Playboy's images and squatting trademarked domains.

The author and six expert contributors (many of which are on GigaLaw's Editorial Board) do a fine job highlighting major case law and issues that face developers (and lawyers) on the Internet today. While no substitute for hiring a lawyer, this book shows what to avoid, and what to do to protect yourself...

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Don't pay more than the cover price of this book - there are other books out there with more up-to-date info!, January 16, 2007

By	Web Admin (Loveland, Co USA) - See all my reviews

I just received a copy of this book & had I known that the original price was just $17.95, I would not have paid so much money. Not only is this book overpriced, it is dated. Although there is some good information in this book, alot has happened since 2002 & there are better resources out there that are more current & don't cost a small fortune.
Buy the e-copy, or get something more current with just as much information like 'Issues in Internet Law'($17.71)

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Internet Law Book Available , November 29, 2004

By	a girl (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews

Pros: Easy to read, comprehensive, good for law students, lawyers, and lay people alike! Read it, and you'll have complete understanding of current and past internet law.

Cons: the gigalaw.com website is more up to date.

As a law student, I took an internet course. Gigalaw Guide to Internet Law was, by far, my best resource. It wasn't an official text for the class, but I found it far more useful than the books we had to read. It supplied great examples to illustrate applicable law. I used it to study for exams, and it gave me complete coverage of all course topics.

Also, it really doesn't read like legalese. You could keep it on your coffee table for light reading.

If you are a business person who has to understand internet law, I highly recommend you read this book -- you'll learn all the same things that I learned in law school and will one day charge hundredss of dollars an hour to explain to you :) If you are a law student, this will serve as a great study guide.