Regulation of information technology in the European Union

Book abstract:

Innovative products and services from the information technology industry are constantly transforming global communications and the world economy. In such a climate, events tend to be market driven with regulators trying to keep up while also promoting effective competition.

This book summarises the way in which the European Union regulates this area of 'information society' through its rules and policies.

The book opens by providing an essential background to the subject with Chapters 2 and 3 describing the institutional framework and the policies which are often grouped together under the heading information society. The rules for external trade are discussed in Chapter 4 while Chapters 5 and 6 offer a detailed analysis of competition policy and intellectual property rights including a useful summary of key competition cases and mergers. The final chapter examines the advent of internet and electronic commerce and the related regulatory issues which remain unresolved. These chapters together provide a straightforward overview of the subject as well as a starting point for additional research on particular issues.

The book will be useful for working professionals such as lawyers, business executives and government or trade association officials, as well as students specifically interested in this area of EU regulation.

The author, Terry Broderick, is a graduate of Harvard Law School and a member of the Pennsylvania (U.S.A.) bar. Since 1983 he has specialised in the practice of European Union Law with a focus on information technology.