730-370 Computer Law

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Subject Description:

Introduction to basic concepts and terminology of computer technology. Computer abuse: varieties of computer abuse; the shortcomings of traditional criminal law in regulating such abuse and legislative responses to computer crime. Computers and evidence: computer records as evidence; evidence by computer experts; judicial comprehension and interpretation of computer related evidence. Data Protection: protection of the individual against abuse of computerised information. Management of databases and limits on access to and use of information. Common law and legislative controls. Intellectual property: copyright protection of computer programmes. Deficiencies in the pre-1984 Copyright Act and subsequent amendments. Protection of 'Look and feel'. Parallel importing. Reverse Engineering. Protection of intellectual property in semi-conductors. The Circuit Layouts Act 1989. Computer contracts: acquisition and maintenance agreements for hardware and software. Combined agreements. Software escrow agreements. Distributorship agreements and consultancy agreements. Government contracts and the Government Information Technology Conditions.

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Prescribed Texts:

• Hughes G, Data Protection in Australia, Law Book Company, 1991.