BKSYSLAW.RVW   930402
 
PC Information Group, Inc.
1126 East Broadway
Winona, MN   55987
Syslaw, 2nd ed., Lance Rose and Jonathan Wallace, 1992
 
The introduction to "Syslaw" states that although the title implies the
existence of a new kind of law relating to electronic bulletin board systems,
in reality it is simply and extension of existing laws, mores and practices. 
In the same way, although the book states itself to be aimed at the BBS
community, and particularly sysops, there is much here of interest and moment
to anyone involved with sharing information through computer systems.
 
The book also starts with a "disclaimer": the authors suggest that any
significant concerns with legal affairs be taken to a lawyer.  Parts of the
book may give concern to experts in the specific fields: I was disappointed by
the coverage of viral programs (and rather intrigued by a somewhat
idiosyncratic definition of "worm").  That aside, the book is an excellent
overview of the legal situation and considerations with regard to computer
communications systems.
 
A recommendation that I would make to the authors for the third edition is to
make the book less "American".  On the face of it, this might seem like a
strange request.  Laws vary from country to country, and it is impossible to
write a book covering all possible laws.  However, there are many legal
precepts which are common to almost all legal systems.  Chapter two of
"Syslaw", for example, deals with contracts.  It does so in a very general way,
applicable to almost all situations.  Chapter one, on the other hand, deals
with the "First Amendment" to the American Constitution, and is therefore of
little use to anyone in any other country.  Chapter three falls into the range
between: it deals with copyright and other related concepts, but from an
American perspective and with specific and extensive reference to American
laws.
 
Most of the book falls somewhere into the middle ranges.  (Chapter one, in
fact, is entitled "Your rights as a sysop", although "First Amendment"
arguments seem to comprise the bulk of it.)  Chapter four deals with "injurious
materials": it is somewhat surprising that it is not more closely related with
chapters eight ("Viruses and other dangerous code") and nine ("Sexually
explicit material).  chapters five, six and seven deal with privacy, crime
directly related to BBS operation and search and seizure, respectively.  All of
them rely quite heavily on examination of the existing American statutes.
 
A number of appendices are included.  B through H are copies of various related
American legislation: I is a list of various state computer crime laws
(although the table of contents makes reference to "Sexual Exploitation of
Children").  Appendix J is an annotated bibliography of sources for further
study.  Interestingly, for a book supposedly targeted at BBS sysops, none of
the materials are cited in "online" form.
 
Appendix A, however, is probably of greatest interest: it is a sample "caller
contract"; an agreement between the "users" and "owners" of computer systems. 
Written in a "folksy" style, and intended as a understanding between sysops and
their "members", it is still a valuable template for any organization with
online information systems and general "communications" functions such as email
(and, these days, voice mail).
 
Most systems managers and computer operators tend to see "systems law"
primarily in relation to "pirate software".  Syslaw is a valuable guide in
opening discussions of many related topics which are all too often either
neglected, or pass over as being of little importance.
 
copyright Robert M. Slade, 1993   BKSYSLAW.RVW   930402