Internet Law Terms and Definitions

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Bandwidth The capacity of a telecommunications network measured in terms of the amount of information it can carry in analog "hertz" or digital "bits" per second. Search engine Software that allows a user to search networked computers for data files according to subject matter or names, depending on how the files are labelled, and present themselves to the network. Browser software The multimedia software employed by users to access the World Wide Web, the aspect of the Internet that transmits pictures, sound, etc. At present, the most popular "browsers" include Mosaic, Netscape, and Microsoft Explorer. Users can download these "browsers" from computer "servers" that are connected to the Internet. Analog The transmission of sound and visual information in the form of waves in the frequency spectrum. For example, in an analog telephone transmission the human voice is transmitted as sound waves that can be detected by the ear. Cable modem A modem supplied by a cable television operator that allows users to access the Internet or other information services over cable television networks, which comprise broadband coaxial cables and are capable of much greater speed than conventional twisted pair copper telephone lines. SOFTWARE COPYRIGHT Computer programs are considered "literary works" for the purpose of copyright law. The 1980 amendments to the Copyright Act define a computer program as a "set of statements or instructions to be used directly or indirectly in a computer in order to bring about a certain result." Wiretap Act Rule on the degree to which the federal Wiretap Act protects the privacy of e-mail, by deciding whether the act applies to e-mail held in temporary storage. Cellular overlay network A cellular telecommunications network that transmits information through the airwaves across a series of geographically defined "cells" via low-power transmitters. Hypertext The presentation of digital information in such manner that computer files are linked to other files concerning related subjects which may be stored on the same or other computers. These links are built into the text of a file and highlighted in some manner, so that a user may click on them and be instantly connected to the other files. Hypertext's most notable usages are on the World Wide Web, and, to a greater extent, in private organizational "intranets." On-line A "live" connection to a computer network over telecommunications lines, in which a user interacts with other computers on a network to send electronic mail, read information stored on another system, or download information to his or her own terminal.

For help with your Internet Law case, contact one of our Internet Attorneys today for the assistance you need!

	Did You Know?
	About computer trespass or hacking Or known as hacking, any person who uses a computer or computer network with knowledge that such use is without authority and with the intention of: Deleting or in any way removing, either temporarily or permanently, any computer program or data from a computer or computer network; (2) Obstructing, interrupting, or in any way interfering with the use of a computer program or data; or (3) Altering, damaging, or in any way causing the malfunction of a computer, computer network, or computer program, regardless of how long the alteration, damage, or malfunction persists