Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
Freedom of Information Act
Generally speaking, legislation related to freedom of information defi nes an individual's
right to access data held by governments and related public bodies on a diverse range
of issues.
In the U.K., the Freedom of Information Act 2000 introduces a public “right to know”
in relation to public bodies. The act creates a general right of access to information held by
public authorities, including legislative bodies, the armed forces, local governments, courts,
health services, and public schools, as well as to publicly owned companies. There are
many details and exceptions in the full legislation. See
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Freedom_of_Information_Act_2000
for a more comprehensive description. At the EU level,
a similar regulation permits any citizen of EU countries to request information from the
European Parliament, Council, and Commission.
In the U.S., the Freedom of Information Act took effect in 1967, and an Electronic Freedom
of Information Act amendment was added in 1996. The act applies only to federal agencies,
but all the states have similar statutes that require disclosures by state and local governments.
Copyright Act
The U.K. Copyright, Designs, and Patents Act of 1988 (CDPA) covers current copyright
law. It's signifi cant in an IT context because the Internet has made it very easy to share
information. Some of that information is protected by copyright, and there may be
substantial legal penalties for using it without permission. Works subject to copyright
protection include the following:
Literary, dramatic, and musical works
Artistic works
Sound recordings and fi lms
Broadcasts
Cable programs
Published editions
The 1988 act and amendment establishes that copyright lasts until 70 years after the
death of its creator (if known), and otherwise 70 years after the work was created or
published. For computer-generated works, the limitation is 50 years. For full details about
this law, see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright,_Designs_and_Patents_Act_1988
.
EXERCISE 10.2
Research IT Laws
Using the Internet, or by contacting your state or local government, fi nd out what
IT-related state or local legislation applies to you as an individual consumer.
