Cyberlaw: Copyright is the 800 Pound Gorilla

Link: Google, Microsoft-backed group ready to Defend Fair Use. What is cyberlaw? That is not an easy question to answer because it touches so many areas of the law including: contract, torts, First Amendment (i.e. con law), trademark, patents, domain disputes, spamming, and the list goes on. But the 800 pound gorilla is copyright law. Much has been written about the "copyright wars" and the battles continue to rage between big media incumbents (movies, music, news,etc.) on the one hand and the new kids on the block (Google, Microsoft, et. al) on the other, AND everybody else (i.e. you and me) thrown into the mix as well.

Here the new kids on the block appear to be taking a populist stand in order, no doubt, to serve their own self interest, but nonetheless this might be the best hope for the rest of us to get the benefits of Fair Use that we are entitled to. The doctrine is well established, but strong arm tactics and litigation costs have blunted its practical application.

Game on!