Introduction: The Internet allows consumers, businesses, and industry to do many new things in unique and efficient ways. The technology around which it is built is also changing and advancing rapidly. A source of concern is that the legal and ethical developments regarding the Internet are not able to keep up with the fast pace of technological change. This tutorial touches on the main areas of legal and ethical concern that have emerged so far, the ways in which they are being dealt with, and the implications for providers of technology related services and products. These major areas are:
- protection of intellectual property
- prevention of fraud
- protection of freedom of expression versus problems of defamation
- protection of privacy
- control of Internet indecency versus free speech
- control of spamming
