Welcome to the second issue of The Richmond Journal of Law & Technology's 1999-2000 publication term. This is our largest and most substantial issue to date, so we are enthusiastic about sharing this milestone with you - our readership. We hope that you enjoyed our recent Symposium Issue on global electronic commerce that showcased the symposium panelists' papers presented at our first Continuing Legal Education ("CLE") program. Your feedback thus far has been both encouraging and supportive, and we look forward to hearing more of your comments and constructive criticism as we approach the planning of similar future events.
In this - our first regular issue of this academic year - we are pleased to present a forum of substantive, diverse, and innovative discussion on the latest legal topics relating to the online environment. This issue highlights articles, case notes, and comments on subjects, such as privacy in our emerging electronic society, tax implications of international cyberspace transactions, providing affordable access to the Internet, online defamation, the function and importance of digital signatures, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals' upcoming decision in Urofsky v. Gilmore concerning restrictions on public employees' Internet access, and finally, products liability implications surrounding the Y2K transition.
We hope that you will explore the pieces in this issue at length, whether you are a curious web browser, a legal or business practitioner tackling the constantly-elongating learning curve for technology law, or an academician exhausting online research resources. Dr. Robert Reilly's article, Conceptual Foundations of Privacy explores the new perspectives on privacy evolving with respect to our emerging electronic society, and offers insightful solutions for how to approach this regulatory challenge. Jonathane Ricci's specialty article on international tax ramifications of online transactions raises thought-provoking hypotheticals on how jurisdictions should face regulating and taxing these sophisticated business communications. Affordable Internet Access for All Americans is Mark Maier's persuasive piece highlighting the disparities between the current state of Internet access and the author's ideal of universally-available, affordable Internet access for all U.S. citizens. As part of our continuing coverage of online defamation, we present Barry Waldman's comment suggesting a unified approach to the Cyber-Libel problem. Everett Lupton's comment, The Digital Signature: Your Identity by the Numbers emphasizes the importance of this unique technological feature. The Urofsky v. Gilmore case receives thorough analysis and commentary in Michael Hancock's case note entitled, The Fourth Circuit's Narrow Definition of "Matters of Public Concern" Denies State-Employed Academics Their Say. Finally, the issue concludes with Philip Landau's insightful comment on the potential products liability claims resulting from the unique implications of obsolescence associated with the fast-approaching Y2K crisis.
As always, we welcome and solicit your feedback on this issue and our overall website. Please contact us at jolt@richmond.edu. Thank you for your readership and your continued support of this educational product.
Lisa Taylor Hudson,
Editor-in-Chief
October 13, 1999