Computer Law - Guide to Computer and Information Technology Law
Computer Law or Information Technology Law includes a vast variety of laws from fraud, misrepresentation, harassment, eavesdropping, theft of services, tampering with other people's property, data protection to name a few even if the laws do not specifically mention computers.
This extremely complex area of practice is part of Science and Technology Law which also includes: Biotechnology, Chemical Law, Computer & Software, Data Protection, Information Technology, Internet Law, Research & Development and Telecommunications Law.
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Computer and Information Technology Law - US
- American Bar Association - Section of Science & Technology Law
The Section of Science & Technology Law was formed in 1974 to provide a forum for addressing issues at the intersection of law, science, and technology. Since then, the Section has grown to become a focal point for information and policy on many important issues, such as computer and information security law, privacy, cybercrime, scientific evidence, genetic research and engineering, biotechnology and nanotechnology.
- BitLaw Legal Resource
BitLaw is a comprehensive Internet resource on technology and intellectual property law. In this site, you will find complete copies of the United States Patent, Copyright, and Trademark statutes, as well as the relevant regulations from the Code of Federal Regulations. BitLaw also includes converted versions of the TMEP and MPEP (the office manuals created by the United States Trademark and Patent Offices, respectively). Each of these documents include links to the relevant statutory and regulatory sections. Finally, BitLaw contains a great deal of custom written descriptions of how these areas of the law affect the computer and technology industries.
- Computer and Information Technology Law - Definition
Information Technology Law (or IT Law) is a set of recent legal enactments, currently in existence in several countries, which governs the process and dissemination of information digitally. These legal enactments cover a broad gamut of different aspects relating to computer software, protection of computer software, access and control of digital information, privacy, security, internet access and usage, and electronic commerce. These laws have been described as "paper laws" for "paperless environment".
- Computer Security Act of 1987
In 1987, the U.S. Congress, led by Rep. Jack Brooks, enacted a law reaffirming that the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST), a division of the Department of Commerce, was responsible for the security of unclassified, non-military government computer systems. Under the law, the role of the National Security Agency (NSA) was limited to providing technical assistance in the civilian security realm. Congress rightly felt that it was inappropriate for a military intelligence agency to have control over the dissemination of unclassified information.
- Cornell Institute for Computer Policy and Law (ICPL)
The EDUCAUSE / Cornell Institute for Computer Policy and Law provides leadership to colleges and universities in developing information technology policies. Founded in 1996 at Cornell University, the Institute incorporates experts from a wide variety of fields, including chief information officers, student judicial-affairs administrators, librarians, attorneys, policy officers, and many others. The Institute supports the professional development of information technology, policy and legal professionals within higher education to facilitate the creation and administration of effective information technology policies. It also monitors and analyzes changes in technology and law to assess the impact of those changes on academic information technology policy.
- eSign Laws and Regulations
On June 30, 2000 President Clinton signed the "Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act" (ESIGN) using his electronic signature ID, and thereby established the validity of electronic signatures for interstate and international commerce.
- National Institute of Standards and Technology - Computer Security Division
The E-Government Act [Public Law 107-347] passed by the 107th Congress and signed into law by the President in December 2002 recognized the importance of information security to the economic and national security interests of the United States. Title III of the E-Government Act, entitled the Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002 (FISMA), included duties and responsibilities for the Computer Security Division in Section 303 “National Institute of Standards and Technology.”
Computer and Information Technology Law - Europe
- European Union Information Society Industry
Just as the Information Society is being created by the convergence between IT, communications and content, the Information Society industry is forming as these three previously separate industrial sectors converge.
- European Union Information Technology, Telecommunications and Data Processing Legislation
- United Kingdom - Computer Misuse Act 1990
An Act to make provision for securing computer material against unauthorised access or modification; and for connected purposes.
Computer and Information Technology Law - International
- Computer Law Association (CLA)
The Computer Law Association (CLA) is one of the world’s largest international organizations of information technology law professionals. With members on all continents except Antarctica, and with 70 percent of new members joining from countries other than the United States, CLA enjoys a unique position in bringing together the world’s information technology law community.
- Global Alliance for Information and Communication Technologies and Development (GAID)
The Global Alliance for Information and Communication Technologies and Development (GAID), an initiative approved by the United Nations Secretary-General in 2006, was launched after comprehensive worldwide consultations with governments, the private sector, civil society, the technical and Internet communities and academia.
- United Nations Information and Communication Technologies Task Force
In March 2001, the United Nations Economic and Social Council requested the Secretary-General to establish an Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Task Force. This initiative is intended to lend a truly global dimension to the multitude of efforts to bridge the global digital divide, foster digital opportunity and thus firmly put ICT at the service of development for all.
Organizations Related to Computer and Information Technology Law
- Canadian IT Law Association
The Canadian IT Law Association ("IT.CAN") was founded in 1997 by a group of Canadian information technology lawyers from across the country. It was intended to provide a national forum for Canadian practitioners to discuss the uniquely Canadian aspects of IT law and related fields of e-commerce and intellectual property.
- Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility - CPSR
CPSR is a global organization promoting the responsible use of computer technology. Founded in 1981, CPSR educates policymakers and the public on a wide range of issues. CPSR has incubated numerous projects such as Privaterra, the Public Sphere Project, EPIC (the Electronic Privacy Information Center), the 21st Century Project, the Civil Society Project, and the CFP (Computers, Freedom & Privacy) Conference. Originally founded by U.S. computer scientists, CPSR now has members in 26 countries on six continents.
- Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF)
From the Internet to the iPod, technologies are transforming our society and empowering us as speakers, citizens, creators, and consumers. When our freedoms in the networked world come under attack, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) is the first line of defense. EFF broke new ground when it was founded in 1990 — well before the Internet was on most people's radar — and continues to confront cutting-edge issues defending free speech, privacy, innovation, and consumer rights today. From the beginning, EFF has championed the public interest in every critical battle affecting digital rights.
- International Association for Artificial Intelligence and Law (IAAIL)
IAAIL is a nonprofit association devoted to promoting research and development in the field of AI and Law, with members throughout the world. IAAIL organizes a biennial conference (ICAIL), which provides a forum for the presentation and discussion of the latest research results and practical applications and stimulates interdisciplinary and international collaboration.
- ITechLaw
ITechLaw is a not-for-profit organization established to inform and educate lawyers about the unique legal issues arising from the evolution, production, marketing, acquisition and use of information and communications technology. We provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and in-depth examination of information technology and telecommunications law issues.
- Law Enforcement Information Technology Standards Council (LEITSC)
The Mission of LEITSC is to foster the growth of strategic planning and implementation of integrated justice systems. Together, participants from these organizations represent the voice of law enforcement as a whole on information technology standard issues.
Publications Related to Computer and Information Technology Law
- Info / Law - Information Law
What is Information Law? We see it as an obvious convergence of intellectual property doctrine, communications regulation, First Amendment norms, and new technology. As information becomes the most precious commodity of the 21st century, the law surrounding it will have to evolve. That’s what we want to talk and think about here — along with various related and not-so-related threads (“information” covers a lot of ground!).
- International Journal of Law and Information Technology
The International Journal of Law and Information Technology provides cutting edge and comprehensive analysis of Information Technology, communications and cyberspace law as well as the issues arising from applying Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) to legal practice. International in scope, this journal has become essential for legal and computing professionals and legal scholars of the law related to IT.
- John Marshall Journal of Computer & Information Law
The John Marshall Journal of Computer & Information Law is an international law review dedicated to current issues in information technology and privacy law. As one of the first of its kind, the Journal fills a unique niche among legal academic publications, addressing cutting-edge topics with input from scholars around the world.
- Rutgers Computer and Technology Law Journal
First in its field, the Rutgers Computer and Technology Law Journal strives to keep judges, policymakers, practitioners and the academic community abreast of the dynamic legal issues arising from society's interaction with computers and emerging technologies. Rutgers law students founded the Journal in 1969, far in advance of the ubiquity of computers and networking technology. Since its inception, the Journal has maintained a tradition of excellence and has designed each issue to foster critical discourse on the technological breakthroughs impacting the legal landscape. The Journal's success is reflected in a subscription base of about four hundred national and international subscribers, as well as in its citation in numerous texts, articles and judicial opinions, including those of the United States Supreme Court.
Articles on HG.org Related to Computer and Information Technology Law
- Electronic "Snooping" - Not Just Unethical
- ‘Dear valued customer, we regret to inform you that your data has been compromised...’
- Laws on Internet Child Pornography
- Computer Crimes in New York City
- Sex Crimes in California
- Should “Sexting” be a Criminal Act?
- U.S. Supreme Court Declines to Review Important Copyright Case Involving Legality of Remote Storage DVR Systems
- Sexting Poses Challenges to North Carolina Laws
- EU Introduces Information Security Breach Notification Requirements
- IP Telephony Vs. Traditional Telecom Systems
- All Science and Technology Law Articles
HG.org Resources on Science and Technology Law
- Expert Witnesses Computer
- Expert Witnesses Computer Animation
- Expert Witnesses Computer Benchmarking
- Expert Witnesses Computer Crime
- Expert Witnesses Computer Failure
- Expert Witnesses Computer Forensics
- Expert Witnesses Computer Interfaces
- Expert Witnesses Computer Investigations
- Expert Witnesses Computer Misuse
- Expert Witnesses Computer Networks
- Expert Witnesses Computer Printed Documents
- Expert Witnesses Computer Security
- Expert Witnesses Computer Storage
- Expert Witnesses Computer Systems
- Expert Witnesses Computer Technology
- Guide to Communications Law
This section covers communications law and regulations. It indirectly touches on the technology of communication, computers and intellectual property.
Science and Technology Law Attorneys
- Biotechnology Lawyers, Law Firms
- Chemical Law Lawyers, Law Firms
- Computer and Software Lawyers, Law Firms
- Data Protection Lawyers, Law Firms
- Information Technology Lawyers, Law Firms
- Internet Law Lawyers, Law Firms
- Research and Development Lawyers, Law Firms
- Science and Technology Lawyers, Law Firms
- Telecommunications Law Lawyers, Law Firms







