Digital Consumers And The Law

This book provides a critical analysis of how digitisation affects established concepts and policies in consumer law. Based on evidence of the actual experience and problems encountered by consumers in digital markets, the book offers a ground-breaking study of the main issues arising in relation to the application of general consumer and sector-specific law. An interdisciplinary team of researchers from the Centre for the Study of European Contract Law (CSECL) and the Institute for Information Law (IViR), both University of Amsterdam, combine their expertise in general consumer and contract law, telecommunications law, media law, copyright law and privacy law in a joint effort to point the way to a truly cohesive European Framework for Digital Consumers and the Law. Topics in this book include the characteristics of digital content markets and how they relate to traditional consumer law; consumer concerns, reasonable expectations and how they are protected by law; the difficult question of the classification of digital content; legal questions triggered by prosumers and underage consumers; the feasibility and future of the information approach to consumer protection; the role of fundamental rights considerations, and the legal implications of an economy that uses personal data as the new currency. Digital Consumers and the Law is an important analysis for all those interested or involved in the regulation of digital content markets. With its comprehensive discussion of a wide range of fundamental as well as praxis-oriented questions, it is an essential read for academics, policy makers, members of the content industry as well as consumer representatives.

This book analyses the most recent processes, laws and best practices for consumer dispute resolution and the law related to consumer redress.

The book provides a comparative and comprehensive analysis of the current technical, commercial and economical development in digital media describing the impact of new business and distribution models, the current legal and regulatory framework, social practices and consumer expectations associated with the use, distribution, and control of digital media products. In particular the author analyze the anti-circumvention provisions for technological protection measures and digital rights management systems enacted in the United States and in Europe.

A very helpful and accessible collection of contemporary issues in digital copyright law. . . Rimmer s book is quite possibly the most enjoyable and easy to read guide to selected issues of digital copyright law on the market today. . . Its core strength is undoubtedly its accessibility it is a pleasure to read. Martin Arthur Kuppers, Journal of Intellectual Property Law and Practice Matthew Rimmer s book provides much needed insight into the current status of digital copyright and its relationship to the general purchasing public. . . This book, which has a structure that flows with concinnity and concision, makes it easy to navigate some of the most complicated and controversial issues. Lisa Wong, Osgoode Hall Law Journal This engaging account of US copyright law (and copyright wars) is thorough and informative. Following a comprehensive and compelling introduction, encompassing a literature review and outline of the methodology and arguments to be adopted. . . His deep understanding of the subject matter, as well as his profound empathy with consumers, are evident throughout the work; the book will, no doubt, foster a similar interest in another generation of copyright law scholars. Louise Buckingham, Copyright Reporter Digital Copyright and the Consumer Revolution is a very important and timely book. . . and is a crucial vade mecum on the ever evolving global maze of case law and copyright reform . Colin Steele, Australian Library Journal It will most definitely prove to be an indispensable tool for researchers concerned with recent legal developments in the copyright field, both in America and Australia. Rimmer s Hands Off My iPod is a comprehensive and detailed analysis of current problems facing copyright holders as the struggle (and often fumble) to find a balance between profiting off their property and keeping the newly-powerful, increasingly agile user happy. Adam Sulewski, Journal of High Technology Law Rimmer brings the tension between law and technology to life in this important and accessible work. Digital Copyright and the Consumer Revolution helps make sense of the global maze of caselaw and copyright reform that extend from San Francisco to Sydney. The book provides a terrific guide to the world s thorniest digital legal issues as Rimmer demonstrates how the consumer interest is frequently lost in the crossfire. Michael A. Geist, the Canada Research Chair of Internet and E-Commerce Law, the University of Ottawa, Canada This book documents and evaluates the growing consumer revolution against digital copyright law, and makes a unique theoretical contribution to the debate surrounding this issue. With a focus on recent US copyright law, the book charts the consumer rebellion against the Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act 1998 (US) and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act 1998 (US). The author explores the significance of key judicial rulings and considers legal controversies over new technologies, such as the iPod, TiVo, Sony Playstation II, Google Book Search, and peer-to-peer networks. The book also highlights cultural developments, such as the emergence of digital sampling and mash-ups, the construction of the BBC Creative Archive, and the evolution of the Creative Commons. Digital Copyright and the Consumer Revolution will be of prime interest to academics, law students and lawyers interested in the ramifications of copyright law, as well as policymakers given its focus upon recent legislative developments and reform proposals. The book will also appeal to librarians, information managers, creative artists, consumers, technology developers, and other users of copyright material.

The United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection are an influential declaration of best practices in consumer protection law and policy. But as they were last amended in 1999, they are now overdue for an update - not least in areas where advances in technology have affected consumers, such as access to knowledge, Internet and telecommunications services, e-commerce, and digital products and services. Consumers International (CI), as the global campaigning voice for consumers, is well placed to make recommendations about what amendments should be made to address these new and emerging areas of consumer rights. This publication - which is a companion volume to a broader set of amendments developed by CI - explains our reasoning behind those proposed amendments that particularly affect consumers in the digital age. A focus of this volume - and of the Guidelines themselves - is on how effective consumer laws and policies can benefit consumers in developing and emerging economies. As such, in-depth analysis is provided of how the proposed amendments relate to consumers in India, Brazil and South Africa, either by reflecting existing best practices in those countries, or by shining light on problem areas that the proposed amendments could help address.

Since the introduction of the European Unfair Contract Terms Directive (UCTD) there have been far-reaching developments in the digital landscape which have significantly altered the nature of consumer contracts. This timely book examines the changes that have taken place since the advent of the UCTD and analyses the challenges that they pose for consumers entering online standard form contracts today.