New technologies are making information stored on electronic databases available to a much wide community than before. These databases come in a variety of media ranging from online services to CD-ROM and videotext. Inevitably, as they become such big business, questions have been raised about how they are legally protected. The European Commission has for some time been concerned that EC member states do not offer a consistent basis for protecting databases and that this may restrict or distort competition in the Community. The author explains how its response has come in the form of a draft directive, which aims to harmonise the way in which databases are protected. The directive is intended to be passed at the EC level and implemented in national laws by the end of 1992.
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