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Book Reviews [1999] PLBIRp 34; (1999) 49 Privacy Laws and Business International Report 21

Book Reviews

Caught in the Web: Law and the Internet

Manches Solicitors' publication deals with the legal implications of using the Internet in the UK to buy, sell, publish and advertise. The booklet provides a comprehensive overview of the various aspects that businesses should consider when using the Internet. It includes chapters not just on data protection and e-commerce, but also on copyright, defamation, trade marks and domain names, advertising, obscenity, hacking, viruses and the Internet Service Providers.

The booklet clarifies, for each of the topics, what legislation there is, and which country's law would apply in the case examples. Also mentioned are European Union directives which will have implications for this area, as well as future UK legislation.

With regard to data protection, the booklet points out the most important aspects of data protection measures online. The authors, a group of Manches partners, advise that businesses which collect personal data via their websites should inform users of the collection and use of that data in order to avoid breaching data protection principles. Businesses may also need to amend their registration particulars in case they gather and process personal data online. Other areas that are discussed include transborder data flows, spamming and security measures against unauthorised access.

The booklet provides an excellent introduction to developments in this field. Examples of real cases from different countries make this publication a particularly interesting read. While the authors stress that the booklet is intended merely to provide a summary of the developing new law, it is nevertheless very useful for businesses as it will help them understand the legal issues that surround the use of the Internet.

The booklet (40 pages) is a Manches Media publication. To order the booklet, contact Manches Media: publications@manches.co.uk, Tel: +44 (0)171 404 4433. For any further information on the topics of the booklet, contact Peter Stevens/John Rubinstein, Manches & Co. Solicitors, Aldwych House, 81 Aldwych, London WC2B, 4RP, Tel: +44 (0)171 404 4433, Fax: +44 (0)171 430 1133, or David Tighe /Christine Reid at the Oxford Office, 3 Worchester Street, Oxford OX1 2PZ, Tel: +44 (0)1865 722 106, Fax: +44 (0)1865 201 012.

Data protection in Croatia

Dr Milan Brezak, a Croatian lawyer, discusses the history of data protection in the Western world, and the state of privacy protection in the Republic of Croatia in his book Pravo na osobnost. The book, published in 1998, is in Croatian, but includes 12-page English and German summaries.

Dr Brezak stresses that Croatia must, as a member of the Council of Europe, and a candidate for the European Union, pay particular attention to the EU Data Protection Directives, and Convention 108. The Croatian Constitution defines privacy as a fundamental right, and guarantees the secrecy of personal data. The Constitution further prohibits the use of personal data contrary to the purpose of their collection. This leads Dr Brezak to the conclusion that the Croatian Constitution provides for the highest level of data protection in the world.

However, a data protection law has not yet been adopted. Dr Brezak stresses that the "lack of legislative regulations of that matter in former Yugoslavia and subsequently in the Republic of Croatia has led to insufficiency of court practice....." "We certainly hope that this book will contribute to the legal protection of these values in Croatia."

The book was published by NZMH in Zagreb in 1998, ISBN 953-185- 015-1. The publication can be ordered from Croatia, Tel: +385 98 354 762, Fax: +385 1 4578 585, e-mail: mondi@zg.tel.hr

Privacy Law & Practice Update

Privacy Law & Practice, a reference book on New Zealand's Privacy Act, was updated in May. The update includes amendments to the commentary on the Privacy Act, a new commentary on the use of personal information by employers, and case notes.

The book and the update are available from Butterworths of New Zealand Ltd, Tel: + 64 4 385 1679, Fax: + 64 4 385 1598, e-mail: customer.service@butterworths.co.nz The price, NZ $288, includes two volumes of over 2,000 pages. A subscription to the quarterly updates costs around NZ $1,000 per year.