International copyright in computer law

International copyright in computer law

MAR - APR THE COMPUTER LAW AND SECURITY REPORT THE FUTURE Although there are one or two other expert systems in development-housing benefit and home...

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MAR - APR

THE COMPUTER LAW AND SECURITY REPORT

THE FUTURE Although there are one or two other expert systems in development-housing benefit and homelessness advice systems in Hastings and school timetabling in Kent-local government seems to be only tentatively entering the area of expert systems. However, as it seems that it can no longer rely on the inevitability of its own existence, local government needs more and more to be considering how the services it provides can be better presented to the community it serves. Many of its traditional roles are under threat from central Government with

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legislation on competitive tendering and in housing and education. There is perhaps a need to establish a different image, of which the neighbourhood office and the giving of advice on matters such as welfare benefits are a part. The ability to develop systems quickly, and adapt them to changing circumstances, will become increasingly important: expert systems then will be a useful addition to the technological options.

John Sutcliffe, Report Correspondent

BOOK REVIEWS International Copyright in C o m p u t e r Law International Copyright Law and Practice by Melville B Nimmer and Paul Edward Geller, 1988 (Matthew Bender, Iooseleaf) US$90, (Pub.No.399)

International Computer Law - a Practical Guide to the International Distribution and Protection of Software and Integrated Circuits by J A Keustermans and I M Arckens, 1988 (Matthew Bender, Iooseleat) US$90 Lib. of Congress Cat.Card No.82-072616

International Copyright Law and Practice is compiled by more than 22 contributors from around the world and features the copyright laws, regulations and procedures of more than 21 jurisdictions. Those covered include Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Czechoslovakia, the European Community, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, The Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. Each chapter covers a single country and provides information to enable the reader to determine: • Each particular country's standard for copyright protection; • The formal procedures for securing copyright; • The duration of copyright protection and discussion of the special terms that exist for certain categories of works; • The remedies available for infringement. Countries soon to be added to the text include the Soviet Union, Mexico, China and Spain. The work is written to a uniform outline which aids the reader in finding the information he needs and the comparisons that he might wish to make quickly and efficiently. If the work can be updated on a regular basis, this will be a most notable resource for practitioners and others seeking speedy access to the legal framework of copyright law in particular jurisdictions.

This work is described as being written for lawyers and business persons dealing with the international distribution (as well as the protection) of high technology products in general and software and integrated circuits in particular. There are five parts to the work: • Technological background looking at the characteristics of software and integrated circuits • General legal issues in international distribution of software and integrated circuits with sections on export controls, import, anti-trust and international taxation issues • International protection of software with a brief overview of protection systems of the International Copyright Conventions and national copyright arrangements • International protection of integrated circuits - sections on conventional protection systems, WlPO proposals and rules operating in the United States, the European Community and Japan • International contracts containing a sample international licensing agreement and appendix material A criticism of the work is the sacrifice of depth of commentary to the desire to cover as many topics as possible. It is not clear to the reviewer exactly how useful a review of UK copyright law might be that is complete in no more than approximately two pages of text. Expansion of coverage in future updates might be useful.

Both works are available in the UK from Matthew Bender, 17 Clifton Road, London N3 2AS with a 15% discount for payment with order. In the United States contact 1275 Broadway, Albany, New York 12201, USA.

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