Writing and Editing for Digital Media, 5th Edition

10 Knowing the LawIntellectual Property, Libel, and Privacy

DOI: 10.4324/9781003223849-10

Chapter Objectives

After studying this chapter, you will be able to:

• understand the legal contexts in which digital content developers gather, create, and publish, with an emphasis on the freedoms and protections offered by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution;
• understand Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act and the protections it offers digital publishers;
• know the basics of libel law;
• understand the basics of intellectual property law, including copyright, as it relates to digital content and fair use;
• understand the provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.

He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself ...