インターネット社会におけるファイル交換技術と著作権の諸問題

抄録

This paper addresses the issue of slow-changing and not-up-to-date regulations and fast-changing innovative technologies. In the advent of the new file exchange software that may drastically change the nature of Internet, copyright law is faced with the un-assumed situation and the industry is concerned about the immediate affect. The paper reviews the concept of copyright and its affect on digital contents. Then cases of Napster and Gnutella are analyzed. Their capabilities and future potential of electronic businesses are explored, in relation with the copyright protection. Finally, the author evaluates the critical significance of assessing the essential value of this file exchange technology in conjunction with the business ethics in an effort to establish a common working ground.