1. Home
  2. Global Information Technologies: Ethics and the Law

Global Information Technologies: Ethics and the Law

2nd Edition
Thomas H. Koenig | Michael L. Rustad
ISBN: 9781685615703
Subject: Computers/Cyberspace
Format: Print - Softbound
Page Count: 578
Copyright: 2023 | Status: In Stock
Other Formats Available

This book uses the latest legal cases, statutory developments, and mass culture references to apply computer ethics in a global setting. Computer law and ethical dilemmas are presented in an applied format, using concrete legal disputes, regulatory actions, and court decisions to demonstrate that law is codified ethics. This thoroughly updated Second Edition addresses legal and ethical dilemmas created by advances in artificial intelligence, smart contracts, biometrics, drones, robotics, 3D printing, crypto currencies, smart contracts, the Internet of Things, and other evolving information technologies. Five leading ethical approaches: (1) Consequentialism, (2) Virtue and Duty Theory, (3) Conflict Perspective, (4) Social Contract Theory and (5) Libertarianism are operationalized in every chapter by applying them to recent legal developments.

The ethical perspectives provide practical guidance on how to apply ethics and the law to diverse activities such as negotiating or litigating computer contracts, introducing software products into the marketplace, protecting website users from crimes and torts, and safeguarding online intellectual property rights. This is the first book to highlight the intersection between law and ethics in torts, cybercrimes, privacy, contracts, and all four branches of intellectual property law. Each substantive chapter ends with thoughtful review exercises to help the reader analyze the ethical and legal dilemmas posed by topics such as Internet monitoring, privacy, and intellectual property rights. Case studies are based upon legal opinions and regulations from the United States, the European Union, China, and the rest of the world.


Imprint: West Academic Publishing
Series: Higher Education Coursebook
Publication Date: 03/13/2023

Thomas H. Koenig, Northeastern

Michael L. Rustad, Suffolk University Law School

CasebookPlus™

This title is available in our CasebookPlus format. CasebookPlus provides support beyond your classroom lectures and materials by offering additional digital resources to you and your students. Anchored by faculty-authored formative self-assessments keyed to our most popular casebooks, CasebookPlus allows students to test their understanding of core concepts as they are learning them in class – on their own, outside of the classroom, with no extra work on your part. CasebookPlus combines three important elements:

  • A new print or digital casebook
  • Access to a downloadable eBook with the ability to highlight and add notes
  • 12-month access to a digital Learning Library complete with:
Multiple-choice self-assessment questions, including:
  • Chapter questions keyed to the casebook
  • Black Letter Law questions (available in select subjects)
  • Subject area review questions for end of semester use
Essay and short answer questions with sample answers and expert commentary, in 1L and select upper-level subjects

Leading digital study aids, an outline starter, and audio lectures in select subjects

Students can still utilize CasebookPlus digital resources if they’ve purchased a used book or are renting their text by purchasing the Learning Library at westacademic.com.

With CasebookPlus, you can customize your students’ learning experience and monitor their performance. The quiz editor allows you to create your own custom quiz set, suppress specific quiz questions or quiz sets, and time-release quiz questions. Additionally, the flexible, customized reporting capability helps you evaluate your students’ understanding of the material and can also help your school demonstrate compliance with the new ABA Assessment and Learning Outcomes standards.

This thoroughly updated Second Edition addresses legal and ethical dilemmas created by advances in artificial intelligence, smart contracts, biometrics, drones, robotics, 3D printing, crypto currencies, smart contracts, the Internet of Things, and other evolving information technologies.

Learn more about this series.

Praise for the First Edition:

"This clearly-written book employs the most recent legal developments in the U.S., the E.U., and China to prepare computer professionals to deal with the numerous moral dilemmas created by rapid advances in information technology. Every chapter systematically compares and contrasts five leading ethical perspectives about information age quandaries, a feature which makes this book uniquely valuable for both students and practitioners."
—Robert Granfield, Vice Provost and Professor of Sociology at the University at Buffalo

"The Internet is a pervasive, and often vexing, feature of modern life, constantly presenting questions to both lawyers and lay persons about how to construct and respond to messages. Koenig and Rustad have fashioned a powerful teaching tool in this area. A particularly notable accomplishment is the way it weds a philosophical basis for computer law to doctrinal details of its practical applications. Both professors and students will find it intellectually challenging and practically useful."
—Marshall Shapo, Frederic P. Vose Professor at Northwestern University School of Law

"The pace of technological innovation and the advancements it brings to our lives continues to amaze me. As an attorney primarily representing silicon valley and other technology companies, I see those these advancements also make the corresponding legal issues and implications ever-changing and exponentially more complex. Global Information Technologies, Ethics and the Law is a comprehensive guide and ongoing “handbook” that uses real-world examples to cover the current and wide ranging legal and ethical issues in this complex field. It is a must read for students, scholars, practitioners, and business people looking to understand and learn about the legal and ethical issues in this ever-changing field of law."
—Mark Silvern, Law Office of Mark Silvern