Each day we are bombarded with news reports about the Internet. The word, and indeed the cyber society behind it, has become as much a part of our daily lives as television and the postal service. Four years ago, when the Journal’s founder Richard Klau proposed the idea of an exclusively online law journal, the Internet was not only in the background, but some doubted the new medium would ever develop into a mature form of communication. As the fourth Editor-in-Chief of the Journal, I am satisfied and delighted that what was once an esoteric tool for programmers has evolved into a truly incredible resource for seekers of all sorts.
In the spirit of development, the University of Richmond, the law school, and the Journal have been embracing many changes. The University has increased its commitment to technology in services and in facilities. The law school has greatly expanded its course offerings in the technological arena, offering more intellectual property courses, a basic computer law course, and a specialized computer law seminar. The Journal has taken on the biggest staff in its short history, consisting of many of the most knowledgeable, energetic and committed students that the school has to offer.
While much of the value of the Internet revolves around sheer quantity, the Journal continues its dedication to quality legal analysis in this issue. Echoing the arguments made at the dawn of our Republic, two students, Cathryn Le and Sarah Beckett Boehm, confront freedom of speech on the Internet. Le addresses the every-growing concern of spam, and Boehm analyzes the application of liable law to the Internet.
As payment systems begin to rise to the forefront of online legal debate, Sean O’Connor analyzes stored value cards, and their proliferation in the electronic society. And finally, David Djavaherian discusses NBA v. Motorola and the protection of database contents.
There are several projects brewing at the Journal. Our Spring issue embraces personal jurisdiction, encryption, copyright, censorship and trademarks. Our Symposium, coming in April, regarding whether traditional legal principles are enough for the new cyber society of the Internet is right around the corner. A new staff and editorial board are about to enter the scene, and a newly designed site is in the wings.
As online journals and periodicals proliferate the Web, we thank you for continuing to turn to the first exclusively online law review for analysis and commentary on the legal issues that technology raises. Your comments, criticisms and suggestions have lent to our growth and are always welcomed at: jolt@richmond.edu.
We hope you enjoy the Winter 1998-89 issue of the Journal.
Very truly yours,
Jennifer S. Coates
Editor-in-Chief
February 1999