spatial information users and providers are increasingly concerned about the legal implications relating to the use and dissemination of geographic information for which there are no right or wrong methods of practice, and no one source of information. this book attempts to fill the gap by addressing key issues in contract law, intellectual property law, rights and responsabilities and liability as they relate to the gi community. building on geographic information systems and the law (wiley, 1998), this book is to become part of the mastering gis series and will be of an applied and practical nature. there will be numerous examples - as well as legal cases and materials - taken from a range of countries and jurisdictions to reflect the internationalisation and globalisation of gi technology and products. there will be a focus on particular jurisdictions where unique solutions are being attempted to solve specific issues.