A comparative study of the role of intellectual property laws in the world of Internet : the situation in Europe and in the United States of America

Abstract

The aim of this dissertation is that of providing a well-defined legal understanding and background to the various intellectual property laws dealing with or having a bearing upon Internet. If, eventually, the International and/or the Community Legislator decide to pass a legislation that directly regulates this fast-developing area of law, it will prove to be beneficial to the legal practitioner and student alike to have a basic text to consult, which will provide the necessary knowledge and tools. The dissertation will analyse certain foreign laws, cases and texts, with the aim of providing a clear picture as to what is currently going on abroad in this field. Naturally, the pieces of legislation themselves will have to be investigated, explained and also viewed in the light of important case-law and/or texts. It is suggested that the most important systems worth analysing are those in Europe (on a national and Community level) and the United States of America. The dissertation will ideally concentrate on the following topics: a. Software Protection; b. Databases; c. Copyrights; d. Trademarks; e. Patents; f. Unfair Competition; g. Assignment and Licensing of Rights.