Copyright Law: Student Study Guide, 2002

Unlike most intellectual property survey materials, this book deals exclusively with copyright issues, allowing for more in-depth coverage than is found in more generalized materials. The material is presented in a user-friendly format and describes complex concepts in an understandable manner. The guide contains a detailed, user-friendly table of contents and a complete table of cases.

This text provides an outline of the law of its specific topic, not the prose presentation of a treatise or hornbook that is found in many existing study guides. As a result, it is more streamlined and easier to use for readers who are looking for quick answers to specific questions. The guide provides clear and precise synopses of copyright concepts and issues, with the most recent statutory and case authorities.

Lind covers the basic concepts of copyright law, including statutory prerequisites, subject matter, ownership, exclusive rights, formalities, duration, termination, infringement, defenses, and remedies. In addition, the work analyzes new copyright legislation, including the Digital Theft Deterrence and Copyright Damages Improvement Act of 1999, the Satellite Home Viewer Improvement Act of 1999, the Digital Millenium Copyright Act, and the Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act.

This study guide also provides an up-to-date presentation of Internet issues such as the enhanced protection for digital materials, the Audio Home Recording Act, public performance rights for the transmission of digital sound recordings, limitations on online service provider liability, and the protection of computer screen displays.

Robert C. Lind is a professor of law at the Southwestern University School of Law.