Monday, April 3, 2000
Welcome to the fifth issue of The Richmond Journal of Law & Technology! This issue represents a watershed experience for JOLT, as this is the first time we have published more than three issues in a single year! The timing of this issue's publication is also significant because on April 5, 2000, we will celebrate the fifth birthday of our journal. As the oldest exclusively online law review in the U.S., we continue to enjoy our leadership role in the publication of academic pieces dedicated to the marriage of law and technology.
There is an abundance of publishworthy material ready and waiting for exposure through the forum of an online journal such as JOLT. In fact, the field of technology law is experiencing an unprecedented pace of development in areas such as computer crime, online fraud, antitrust, and e-mail privacy as we sprint through the Year 2000. These topics are of concern to law students, practitioners, faculty members, and casual browsers alike. Even last week, 5,338 readers accessed our site from across the globe to learn more about these topics and similar themes addressed in our current and past issues. Yet, the constraints of the academic calendar and a fast-approaching graduation date (as well as bar exams) mandate that we transition the remainder of our work to a new leadership team. The incoming Editorial Board, under the direction of Dharmesh Vashee has worked closely with the current board in preparing this issue for publication. We hope that our joint efforts have resulted in a refined work product that continues to offer our readership substantial educational value.
In this issue, we are proud to showcase a number of articles and comments exploring themes previously unexamined in our publication. Terrell Mills presents a technology-intensive piece on metatags and their regulation under the trademark infringement provisions of the Lanham Act. Jeff Nemerofsky offers an insight into computer crimes and federal laws aimed at computer criminals. Mr. Nemerofsky's article is particularly timely, considering the recent publicity surrounding the "hacker attacks" on high-traffic websites like Yahoo! and eBay. Shawn Potter highlights the phenomenon of open source software in a detailed piece on this cutting edge debate. Issue 5 also explores a new twist on a topic that has plagued online communication for years - defamation. Michael Spencer discusses employer liability with respect to defamatory e-mail in the years since the Zeran v. America Online decision in 1997. There are two comments in the issue. The first, entitled "Praying for Relief" is authored by Ramona Taylor, and it addresses the impact of secular organizations on Internet and trademark law. This student work tackles an unchartered theme for online legal discussions to date. The second comment, written by Deborah Barfield explores the DNA exception to Fourth Amendment protection and its recent treatment in the federal circuits and U.S. Supreme Court.
Issue 5 represents a strong finale to the most successful, productive, and prolific publication period in our journal's history. Based on our accomplishments this year, we are confident that we will continue to excel and distinguish ourselves as the leading online law review in 2000 - and beyond. Thank you for your continued support and readership of our journal. As outgoing Editor-in-Chief, I have proudly watched ideas in their infancy take root and flourish under the diligent work ethic of committed student researchers, writers, editors, and programmers. I have enjoyed my tenure with this dedicated and talented group of Editorial Board and student staff members. I, along with my successor, have every reason to believe that this next year promises to be JOLT's strongest yet.
Lisa Taylor Hudson
Editor-in-Chief, 1999-2000
Dharmesh S. Vashee
Editor-in-Chief, 2000-2001