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Online Journalism News

Internet law: help is at hand

Posted: 11/05/04 By: Jemima Kiss
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The UK's Association of Online publishers (AOP) has launched its second legal handbook, designed to help web publishers navigate the complexities of internet law.

Launched on 5 May, 'Publishing online: the essentials' is designed as both an introduction to internet publishing law and to supplement existing information on general publishing. It also updates key legal areas that have changed since the first handbook was published in November 2002.

"It is intended as a practical, jargon-free handbook on the legal issues facing those publishing online," said Alex White, head of the AOP.

"I think most of us have a general impression that legal stuff is complicated and difficult to understand, but it is really important that publishers make sure they are up to date."

The AOP developed the handbook with specialist web publishing lawyer Duncan Calow of law firm Denton Wilde Sapte. He was able to present complex legal issues in an understandable way, said Ms White.

The handbook covers core legal issues such as defamation, accessibility and intellectual property rights, with each section suggesting practical steps for publishers.

"As online is still a relatively new medium, there is not much case history to go on and the law can be hard to interpret," Ms White told dotJournalism.

"We have tried to concentrate on those areas that AOP members face in their everyday publishing activities."

Any updates or amendments to web publishing law will be covered on the AOP website, although the association is likely to release another edition in one to two years' time.

The handbook is £15 for AOP members and £30 for non-members.

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See also:
http://www.ukaop.org.uk/cgi-bin/go.pl/legal/article.html?uid=253
http://www.dentonwildesapte.com