Challenging Intellectual Property Law in the Internet: An Overview of the Legal Implications of the MP3 Technology.

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Bibliographic Details
Title:	Challenging Intellectual Property Law in the Internet: An Overview of the Legal Implications of the MP3 Technology.
Authors:	Anestopoulou, Maria
Source:	Information & Communications Technology Law. Oct2001, Vol. 10 Issue 3, p319-337. 19p.
Subjects:	MP3 (Audio coding standard), Data compression, Sound recording piracy, Access to information
Abstract:	This paper attempts to provide an understanding of the contrast between the fundamental notion surrounding the Internet that global society should benefit from access to free flow of information, whilst unauthorised copying of material normally protected by copyright can be facilitated. The paper focuses on the legal implications of the emergence and widespread use of the MP3 technology for the digital compression and distribution of audio music files over the Internet. The analysis explores issues of copyright infringement and unauthorised reproduction and distribution of copyrighted music over the Internet as highlighted in two separate cases concerning two start-up Internet companies, MP3.com and Napster. Additionally, to the extent that the outcome of the aforementioned cases are likely to influence the future of copyright protection in the online environment, the paper addresses the legal implications of the MP3 technology in relation to the applicability, adequacy and effectiveness of the existing legal framework to reach to a fair balance between the rights of the users of the Internet to free access to information and the protection of the rights of copyright holders thus providing us with the opportunity to question the fundamentals of copyright protection in the electronic environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database:	Engineering Source

Description
Abstract:	This paper attempts to provide an understanding of the contrast between the fundamental notion surrounding the Internet that global society should benefit from access to free flow of information, whilst unauthorised copying of material normally protected by copyright can be facilitated. The paper focuses on the legal implications of the emergence and widespread use of the MP3 technology for the digital compression and distribution of audio music files over the Internet. The analysis explores issues of copyright infringement and unauthorised reproduction and distribution of copyrighted music over the Internet as highlighted in two separate cases concerning two start-up Internet companies, MP3.com and Napster. Additionally, to the extent that the outcome of the aforementioned cases are likely to influence the future of copyright protection in the online environment, the paper addresses the legal implications of the MP3 technology in relation to the applicability, adequacy and effectiveness of the existing legal framework to reach to a fair balance between the rights of the users of the Internet to free access to information and the protection of the rights of copyright holders thus providing us with the opportunity to question the fundamentals of copyright protection in the electronic environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:	13600834
DOI:	10.1080/13600830120081944