Reviews (6)

Must-read for licensors
I have studied and compared Open Source licenses for a number of years.I came to the conclusion that the licenses created by Mr. Rosen were the best and I adopted one of them for my own Open Source projects.I have also read his book on the subject and I have concluded that it is also the best in its field.I recommend his book as a must-read for licensors of Open Source content.

Great for reference
When I recieved this book I was excited, finally I could read a book which would help my brain really understand all the licenses! I sat down to read it, and was impressed with how the author took the popular licenses and broke them down into more easily understandable. I mean, they *are* fairly straight forward, but the author gets into what they actually mean in legal terms, and that's interesting.
Readable and by a Lawyer.
Open source software is growing explosively around the world. The SourceForge web site now lists 87,006 projects being done by 912,545 people. That's almost a million people writing code, probably more than all of the programmers employed by Microsoft, Oracle, IBM, etc. etc.
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Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Languages    2. Computers    3. Law Of Intellectual Property    4. Law and legislation    5. Legal Reference / Law Profession    6. Open source software    7. Programming - Software Development    8. Property    9. United States    10. Computers / Operating Systems / Linux    11. Intellectual property, copyright & patents    12. Social & Legal Aspects of Computing   

Reviews (3)

the real deal with cyberlaw!
This is the first book that truly explains all about cyberlaw, It's easy to read and very educational, doesnt matter if your not that good with the internet you'll still enjoy reading this book that gives you all the information you need on cyberlaw, gives many cases as examples, and explains abrevations! I would recomend this book to anyone trying to understand what really go's on in the law of the world wide web.

the real deal with cyberlaw!
This is the first book that truly explains all about cyberlaw, It's easy to read and very educational, doesnt matter if your not that good with the internet you'll still enjoy reading this book that gives you all the information you need on cyberlaw, gives many cases as examples, and explains abrevations! I would recomend this book to anyone trying to understand what really go's on in the law of the world wide web.

A non common law layer comment.
An very updated text. Concise, precise and well presented. There is no bored and extensive dissertations about what should be the law of internet. This is a pragmatic view. Every topic is well documented and comes with several sugested sites to visit for reference or aditional information. Be aware this is an American Legal System analisys, it does not explores civil law implications.Useful for beginners and advanced legal professionals working in the web industry. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Financial    2. Communications    3. Computer networks    4. Electronic commerce    5. Intellectual Property    6. Intellectual Property - General    7. Internet    8. Law    9. Law and legislation    10. Legal Reference / Law Profession    11. Patent, Trademark, Copyright    12. Research    13. United States    14. Business law    15. Commercial law    16. Law / Business    17. USA   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (31)

Complex But Wonderful Nonetheless
The book is written in a very complex style -- especially the sections where Lessig goes into the nitty gritty of the architecture behind the Internet -- but the book is a wonderful read, especially for those who come from the mindset that copyright laws should serve to give full control to the creator. While Lessig's style is unnecessarily complex, the book is ultimately worth the effort -- especially for Internet enthusiasts and entrepreneurs who need to understand the implications of copyright laws and how they affect culture and future ideas.

Important book for IP lawyers and internet architects
This is the best of Lessig's books that I've read so far.Lessig is one of the more articulate spokespersons for the movement to protect the public domain, which includes such groups as the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Creative Commons, etc., although he may be more moderate in his views than some. From whence comes invention?
Ultimately, the flaw in Lessig's books is his belief that the revolution of personal computing and the internet are the products of intellectuals like himself.Undermining the freedom and property rights of the programmers and companies who really invented these marvels is a profound threat to one of America's most vital and creative industries. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer - Internet    2. Computer Bks - Internet    3. Computer Books: General    4. Computers    5. Copyright and electronic data    6. Copyright and electronic data processing    7. Information society    8. Intellectual Property    9. Internet    10. Internet - General    11. Law Of Intellectual Property    12. Law and legislation    13. Social Aspects - General    14. Computers / Internet / General   

Reviews (6)

A good attempt at explaining a difficult topic
As noted below, DRM consists of legal, technical and business issues and anyone trying to provide an overview of all three has their work cut out for them. Particularly in the early chapters of the book, these authors give it a good try. Still waiting for DRM to be explained.
The problem with the several texts available on digital copyright or Digital Rights Management is that the topic demands a treatment from at least three different perspectives: namely legal, technical and business. There are several books that try to tackle the topic of digital copyright from a legal viewpoint, and this one is clearly coming from a technical perspective. Legal issues are covered, but rather superficially. More surprisingly the crucial business issues and models that are driving interest in DRM are barely mentioned and there is no dicussion of the business models that are working and those that are not. Disappointingly many of the technical issues are also fudged in a way that will leave non-technical audiences confused, and those who are following technical developments frustrated. The fact is that, technically at least, DRM is an area whereapproaches, technologies and standards are all in rapid development and the industry has failed to converge on any single direction. This book's effort to offer a comprehensive reviewof available products means that it risked redundancy before it was published, as many of the companies and technologies have ceased to be relevant. What the world still needs is a book on DRM that reviews the law, discusses the business models (and consumer needs) that are driving developments, and describes fundamental approaches in a way that will remain relevant whatever product Microsoft may impose on us all next year. Unfortunately this bookintrigues enough to encourage one to want to know more about DRM, but never really provides the answers.

Very good market overview
This book combines a business strategist's view of the DRM space with a sound explanation of the underlying technology, and also explains how both have evolved over the past decade. It's rare to find both views in any book, particularly one about an emerging software market. Usually, insights into markets like this book provides require purchasing research reports and speaking one-on-one to industry insiders. So, save yourself $10,000 and three weeks of work ... buy the book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Communications    3. Computer & Internet    4. Computer Books: General    5. Computer Center Management    6. Copyright Law    7. Copyright and electronic data    8. Copyright and electronic data processing    9. Information Management    10. Intellectual Property - Copyright    11. Intellectual Property - General    12. Internet    13. Internet industry    14. Law    15. Law and legislation    16. Management    17. United States    18. Computers / Internet / Web Site Design    19. English law: copyright    20. Web Development   

Reviews (11)

Eye opening; everyone should read this book
Professor Litman tackles the dense and often counterintuitive basis of copyright law and delivers an easy to understand explanation of what copyright law is, what it attempts to accomplish, why it was deemed necessary, and how it came to be that copyright owners (e.g., the RIAA) are suing your teenage sons and daughters.
A Difficult Read - But Good Information
I found this to be a maddening book to read. The author is a lawyer, and this is apparent from the writing style. I don't know why law schools teach their students to write in such a meandering and confusing manner. However, lawyers should consider that the general population, even the educated portion is not trained (or really interested) in reading this peculiar writing style. Jessica Litman states that she thinks US copyright law has been gerrymandered to the point where it is virtually unintelligible, but then proceeds to do the same thing to her book.
Good Recent History of Copyright Law
This is a good book if you want a detailed history of how copyright law evolved to accomodate digital technology and the Internet.That is the focus of Litman's work.Her writing is engaging and straightforward, and she has good reasons for being pessimistic and disappointed with the current Copyright Act. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer & Internet    2. Copyright and electronic data    3. Copyright and electronic data processing    4. Intellectual Property - Copyright    5. Law    6. Legal Reference / Law Profession    7. United States    8. Intellectual property, copyright & patents   

Reviews (8)

Excellent Legal Contracts
I found this book most useful for the CD-ROM's legal contracts.As a consultant, I use these for all my clients.
Good content, bad editing
There is a lot of good information and discussion in this book about the topics which a contract should cover.It falls down, however, when it comes to the actual contracts.Just comparing the website and the custom software contracts, there are differences where there shouldn't be.In the software contract, it's theCustomer, in the website contract, it's the Client.A bit more than half of the contract sections with (mostly) identical headings and purpose have unexplained differences between them.Many of these differences are not trivial.In the text, the contracts are interleaved with explanations, but often the commentary/annotations are just restatements of the contract itself, which is a real time-waster, especially if you've read the background material earlier in the book.Other occasional editing snafus include explanatory comments inside the contract text, formatting syntax commands on the page (END SECTION), and a less than clear and concise structure for indicating optional clauses (the intended combinations aren't always clear, even though customization is to be expected).Given the fuzzy line between a website and a web application (ie 'custom software' (and really, what website is NOT custom?)), and given the marked similarities in over half of the two contracts, why not cover the overlapping sections just once, instead of twice, but inconsistently?And the sections that don't overlap, or overlap badly?No real explanation as to the reasons for the differences.I hope I don't have the same problems with the two versions of the independent contractor agreement.Fishman has written a pile of legal books for the layman, including the more recent "Consultant And Independent Contractor Agreements 5th Edition".I have to wonder: "Quantity over quality?"Perhaps when he is working on the next edition of this book ("Legal Guide to Web & Software Development", due out 8/2007), he will take the time to re-organize some of the content and get a capable editor.A determined reader can sort out the differences on their own, but it need not be so difficult.The content is 5 stars (including 24 documents in RTF format), but making it work for you is a real pain if you care about details.

This Book Delivers
A straightforward and well organized book.
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Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Languages    2. Computer software    3. Computers    4. Intellectual Property - General    5. Law and legislation    6. Legal Reference / Law Profession    7. Programming - Software Development    8. Reference    9. Software Copyright    10. Software Development    11. United States    12. Web sites   

Reviews (2)

A Must-Have Reference for Anyone Unclear about Copyright Issues
This is an excellent, time-saving reference that explains the process of "getting permission" in plain language and demystifies most of the myths and assumptions surrounding copyright issues. The author goes beyond giving general advice on how to get permission by providing step by step instructions and easy-to-use forms. This book should be read before starting your creative work...it'll inform you of what's legal and what isn't.

Great Reference!
There is a lot of information in this book, lots to read and it is very in depth on the subject of copyrighted materials. What is very convenient is that the book includes a CD which has all of the forms that you will need to seek permission for various copyrighted materials. There are few books out there that will answer so many topics related to this subject in the detail that it does. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer & Internet    2. Copyright Law    3. Copyright licenses    4. Intellectual Property - Copyright    5. Law    6. Legal Reference / Law Profession    7. Popular works    8. Practical Guides    9. Trademark licenses    10. United States   

Reviews (2)

Essential Reading for any Intelligent Adult Favoring Social Progress
I bought this book at Hackers on Planet Earth 6, and then after reading it in the morning, had the double benefit of hearing the author as keynote speaker in the afternoon.He is everything the book's contents suggest, and more.The author is one of the original MIT hackers (pick up a used copy of Shirley Turkle's "My Second Self, Computers and the Human Spirit" and/or Steven Levy's "Hacker's" which the author himself recommends.
Nice Explanations
The editor wrote a short forward explaining all the computer concepts the reader will need in order to understand the book.In addition, there are footnotes throughout the book explaining obscure people and computer terms.This way even a sociology major like myself can understand everything.Read more

Subjects:  1. Business Software - General    2. Computers - General Information    3. Ethics & Moral Philosophy    4. Intellectual Property - General    5. Law    6. Social Aspects - General   

Subjects:  1. Administrative Law & Regulatory Practice    2. Computer & Internet    3. Computer software    4. Intellectual Property - Patent    5. Law    6. Legal Reference / Law Profession    7. Patents    8. United States   

Reviews (12)

taken from Journal of Law, Economics & Policy Volume 1, Number 2 (Winter 2005)
"The knowledge which can be gained from the study of this text is found in the placement that Solove's topic has within the broader debate surrounding the role of knowledge in society.Solove's points chime in right around the time we recognize that computers have great potential for advancing the spread and use of productive information.Computers provide tools capable of tapping into dispersed knowledge; but, we must simultaneously recognize that they are not miracle cures to be implemented from central positions of authority.The knowledge which they coordinate is valuable only in so far that it is dispersed and subjective. The hazardous notions of knowledge, in the Hayekian sense, would be those which claim to be more complete and universally applicable than they actually are.When based upon such false notions, actions stand to be erroneous, misinformed, and the host to unintended consequences."
Distortion of John E. Holts Public Record
Professor Solove comments about me on page 147 are out and out lies. Searchwashingtonpost.com news archives for "john and holt and and gsa" for the true story.
Super on Law and Accountability, Read with "The Transparent Society"

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Subjects:  1. Communications    2. Law    3. Legal Reference / Law Profession    4. Privacy    5. Science & Technology    6. Social Aspects - General    7. Computers / Security    8. DATA PROTECTION    9. GOVERNMENT INFORMATION    10. LAW_UNITED STATES    11. PRIVACY, RIGHT OF    12. PUBLIC RECORDS    13. Personal property law    14. Privacy & data protection    15. USA   

Reviews (3)

Save me....
Being in the copyright profession I have read numerous copyright and IP related books and this one is the worst one I have ever suffered through.I actually had Moser as a professor in college and thought I would give his book a try.I'm not sure why sinceevery student hated his class with a passion.But I figured surely his book would be somewhat better.....I was wrong.This book is no different than most of what is out there.It gives no new perspective, just rehashes the same old same old we have been hearing about for years.I had a hard time with this book keeping my attention.If you are completely new to copyright and IP one could benefit, but I think there are other books out there that are easier to read and give a great overview.If you are an IP "scholar" skip it completely.You will be bored to tears.

Great Book For Musicians
This is a very useful and practical book especially for musicians like myself who want to know how their music is legally protected. Its written in an easy to understand style with lots of interesting examples. If you want to learn about copyright, this book is well worth it.

Exceptionally Informative Book
Music Copyright For The New Millennium is an extremely useful reference for anyone involved in the music industry. The book's author, David Moser, writes in a very easy to understand style and provides many examples and tips to illustrate how copyright law really applies to real life situations. It also clears up many of the common misconceptions musicians have about registering copyrights, co-ownership of songs, etc. The last chapter which covers the most currently controversial issues involving copyright and the use of music on Internet is especially informative. If this book existed when I started my career in the music industry, I would have been much more knowledgeable and avoided many problems. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business Aspects    2. Copyright    3. Intellectual Property - Copyright    4. Law    5. Legal Reference / Law Profession    6. Music    7. Music/Songbooks    8. Patent, Trademark, Copyright    9. Reference    10. United States    11. Computers / General    12. Music / Reference    13. Music industry   

Subjects:  1. Administrative Law & Regulatory Practice    2. Computer & Internet    3. Computer Books: Internet General    4. Copyright Law    5. Copyright and electronic data    6. Copyright and electronic data processing    7. Cybernetics    8. Cyberspace    9. Fair use (Copyright)    10. Intellectual Property - Copyright    11. Law    12. Legal Reference / Law Profession    13. United States    14. Automation of library & information processes    15. Intellectual property, copyright & patents    16. USA   

Reviews (1)

Is the Internet Doomed?
Yes, if principles outlined in this book are not heeded.Strangely, the fundamental economics of copyright intellectual property have been glossed over by many eBusinesses seeking to grab "eyeballs" instead of dollars.No wonder so many "content sites" are failing.The selection of articles in this book is first rate and should be read by anyone in the publishing, music or software businesses.There is some advanced economic analysis with a fair bit of math, but the articles are quite accessible to non-economists like myself.You have just read a review of a book.Is my review "worth" anything?What did it "cost?"Will all books eventually by digital? Read this book to find out. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Desktop Publish    2. Computer Networks    3. Computers    4. Desktop Publishing - General    5. Economic aspects    6. Electronic Publishing    7. Intellectual Property - Copyright    8. Intellectual property    9. Internet - General    10. Internet publishing    11. Legal Reference / Law Profession    12. Publishing    13. Technological innovations    14. Business & Economics / Management    15. International finance    16. Publishing on the Internet   

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business Law    3. Business/Economics    4. Computer network resources    5. Information storage and retrie    6. Information storage and retrieval systems    7. Intellectual Property - General    8. Intellectual property    9. Law    10. Legal Reference / Law Profession    11. Legal research    12. United States    13. Economics, Finance, Business and Industry    14. Law / Business   

Subjects:  1. Administrative Law & Regulatory Practice    2. Computer software industry    3. Copyright licenses    4. Language    5. Language Arts & Disciplines    6. Legal Reference / Law Profession    7. Libraries    8. Library & Information Science    9. Licenses    10. United States    11. Library & Information Sciences   

Reviews (3)

Why modern intellectual property rights are in a big mess - and how to fix the problem
MATH YOU CAN'T USE: PATENTS, COPYRIGHT, AND SOFTWARE uses the author's experience as a programmer and an economist to describe why modern intellectual property rights are in a big mess - and how to fix the problem. MATH YOU CAN'T USE could also have been featured in our computer section, but is highlighted here for its wider-ranging interest to any college-level collection containing not only legal and computer books, but holdings considering intellectual property rights, issues, and development protection.
Highly Recommended
MATH YOU CAN'T USE
a book you can use...
Klemens has a knack for bringing humour and spirit to a subject most people might be inclined to regard as dull (i.e., software patent policy) - as well as explaining why addressing that subject is crucial.His background as a trained economist and practicing computer programmer gives him inside understanding of both the theoretical policy debate as well as its practical impact on the work of coding.The book is an invaluable resource - and you'll love the banana protective device diagram. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business/Economics    2. Communications    3. Computer software    4. Intellectual Property    5. Intellectual Property - General    6. Law    7. Law Of Intellectual Property    8. Law and legislation    9. Legal Reference / Law Profession    10. United States    11. Business & Management    12. Mathematics   

Subjects:  1. Communications    2. Computer programs    3. Government - State, Provincial & Municipal    4. Intellectual Property    5. Intellectual Property - Patent    6. Law    7. Law and legislation    8. Legal Reference / Law Profession    9. Litigation    10. Patent laws and legislation    11. Patent, Trademark, Copyright    12. Patents    13. Programming - Software Development    14. Software protection    15. United States    16. Constitutional & administrative law    17. Courts & procedure    18. Local government   

Reviews (7)

Dated, Biased, But Worth the Price
In general, I am a big fan of For Dummies books.However, this book does not live up the usually high For Dummies standard for two reasons.This book was written at the height of the dot-com bubble, and GreatDomains.com wrote this book. Domain Names for Dummies
DomainIcons.Com recommend this insightful book to any individual who seeks to broaden their comprehension on domain names.Wow.

Domain Names for Dummies
DomainIcons.Com recommend this insightful book to any individual who seeks to broaden their comprehension on domain names.Wow. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Business/Economics    3. Computer - Internet    4. Computer Networks    5. Computers    6. Electronic Commerce    7. Intellectual Property - General    8. Internet - Web Site Design    9. Internet - World Wide Web    10. Internet addresses    11. Internet domain names    12. Law Of Intellectual Property    13. Business & Management    14. Internet    15. Ownership & organization of enterprises    16. Newman, Steve   

Reviews (1)

Great reference which has good exercises
This is the clearest explanation I've found on copyright and fair use. Copyright laws make no sense to me, but this book breaks it down in digestable chunks.
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Subjects:  1. Computer - Internet    2. Computer Books: General    3. Computers    4. Interactive & Multimedia    5. Internet - General    6. Computers / Interactive Media    7. Intellectual Property    8. Public domain (Copyright law)    9. Fair use (Copyright)   

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Business Software - General    3. Business/Economics    4. Computer Books: General    5. Computers    6. General    7. Software Copyright    8. Business & Economics / General    9. English law: computers & the law