Drafting and Negotiating Computer Contracts

Publisher: Tottel Publishing

Authors: Rachel Burnett & Paul Klinger

Price: £175.00 plus 7.7% VAT (£188.48 including VAT)

Edition: 2nd Edition (January 2005)

ISBN: 978-1-84592-024-4

Buy from Tottel Publishing: Click Here

For many law firms and, indeed, universities, information technology law has become a topic worthy of individual consideration instead of being a "bolt on" to a commercial law course.  The first edition of Drafting and Negotiating Computer Contracts, published in 1993, was therefore timely.  This second edition is equally well-timed since other developments, like e-commerce, have come to the forefront for many businesses.

Drafting and Negotiating Computer Contracts is written by two experienced IT lawyers who also have a background in information technology.  Their industry experience means that the text is packed full of useful hints and tips.  It is essentially divided into three parts: general law (including topics like principles of contract law and interpretation); topic specific chapters (including discussions on software licences electronic commerce); and practitioner materials (including checklists and a number of excellent precedents).

Each chapter is well-written and explains the law basically but accessibly.  It is, however, sometimes too simplistic and erroneously says that if the required information under a distance selling contract is not provided then the consumer has three months to cancel (this should be three months and seven days),  Each topic specific chapter impressively walks the reader through a standard document showing the nature and effect of each clause.  This allows readers to really understand the implications of provisions when negotiating.

For anyone practising in this area of law, Drafting and Negotiating Computer Contracts provides an excellent summary of the law (subject to some minor issues) and an engaging consideration of contractual provisions.  It also has a number of impressive features including the checklists and the precedents which are included in Word format on an accessible CD-ROM.  It is a text which should remain close to hand for newly qualified practitioners and with easy reach for those with more experience.

Reviewed on 16 March 2009

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