THE FULL STORY:
CYBER LAW
As communication and trade continue to migrate online, Cyberlaw extends its run as a hot topic in the press. Let us give you the rundown on Cyberlaw and how it affects you and your business.
Cyberlaw is a fast-growing sector relating to areas of the law that apply to the Internet, together with electronics and technologies associated with the Internet. Since the advent of the public-access Internet in 1983, the world has not been the same. As the Internet grew in notoriety, regulation has become necessary to ensure that communication, commerce and innovation on the platform remain above board. While there is still much work required in this regard, headway has been made in critical legislative areas such as cybercrimes, software, technology, contract, jurisdiction-specific intellectual property, data protection, privacy, freedom of expression and internet-based transactions and currency.
Cyberlaw often functions in tandem with our area of specialisation, intellectual property law. Our team at De Beer Attorneys are trained in the nuances of Cyberlaw and offers representation and assistance in the following sectors of Cyberlaw such as; Software, Technology, Contract, Intellectual Property, Data Protection and Privacy, also including Internet Transactions and Disputes.
01
SOFTWARE LAW
Software law in the Cyberlaw context can be understood as a set of legal remedies and regulations that protect software-based assets accessible via the Internet and the users of such technologies. This area of cyber law covers downloadable software programs such as Adobe Suite, internet-dependent software such as Zoom in addition to cloud-based software platforms such as the popular graphic design tool, Canva. This area of the law often operates closely with intellectual property law rights that often dictate the commercial and usage scope of such assets.
We provide our clientele with multi-disciplinary legal counsel to successfully manage and protect internet-based software programmes. Our team at De Beer Attorneys offer comprehensive intellectual property protection and management relating to these valuable assets. We also have tough and experienced litigators on staff who can effectively defend your rights as a consumer or producer of these technologies. Given that most commercial software on the market is produced under a software licensing or development agreement, our team can also assist its clients with the due diligence, negotiation and drafting skills required to successfully conclude this type of contract.
02
INTERNET TRANSACTIONS & DISPUTES
The future of commerce is cyber. This means that virtual methods of transacting will continue to dominate the banking sector. An Internet transaction is understood as the purchasing of goods and services via the Internet, telephone, fax, email or other electronic means. While the convenience of online trade is unparalleled, it at times is undoubtedly less secure than traditional methods of purchasing, often leaving customers vulnerable to predation when transacting online.
At De Beer Attorneys, we assist our clients with all manners of internet-based financial disputes, providing expert defence against virtual financial exploitation. We also assist companies with strategising and drafting transactional agreements and corporate governance policies per current legislative reforms.
03
PRIVACY & DATA PROTECTION
A breach of privacy in terms of Cyberlaw can be understood as any unauthorised processing of personal information that is considered confidential and is not readily available to the public, while a breach of data protection would constitute the unauthorised generation and harvesting of data considered private and not intended for its unauthorised use.
We can assist our clients at all stages of Privacy and Data Protection disputes, from the initial steps of drafting or responding to a letter of demand to litigating the matter in the courtroom. We can also advise our clients on developing strategies surrounding industry-mandated legal data protection and privacy practices in addition to assisting with drafting these measures for inclusion into all official documentation.