American bar association-computer law division legal protection for the value of information in computer systems

The U. S. legal structure for protecting intellectual property is comprised of patent, copyright and trade secret concepts. Whether it be in self-contained desk top models, mainframes or national networks, that structure is finding awkward application in protecting the value of information in computer systems. The Computer Law Division of the Science and Technology Section of the American Bar Association has developed a project to analyze and provide for and protect the economic value of information in computer systems. The goal of the project is to provide a comprehensive and authoritative analysis of all aspects of U.S. legal protections for the value of information in computer systems. Such an analysis has not been attempted before, and if successful, could have a major impact upon the understanding of the bar and bench, as well as legislators, of the problems our present legal system presents for our infant information economy.