Scope and Content of the Collection
The Computer Law Association records contain conference materials, books, and periodicals published by the CLA and other legal publications collected, but not published, by the CLA. The records date from 1982 to 2005. The majority of the collection consists of proceedings and promotional flyers for CLA-organized conferences and seminars. Three of the CLA’s events that are especially well-documented in this collection are the annual Computer Law Update, Pacific Rim Computer Law Conference, and CyberSpaceCamp. This collection also contains the CLA’s published newsletters, books on computer law, and annually published collections of essays. Newsletters with significant numbers of issues in this collection include the Computer Law Association Bulletin and International Update. Lastly, the CLA records hold journals, books, newsletters, and reports that the CLA collected, but did not publish. Common publications in this part of the collection include the Rutgers Computer and Technology Law Journal, Santa Clara Computer and High Technology Law Journal, and quarterly journals and bulletins published by the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA). Common topics covered throughout the CLA records include legal issues related to the Internet and electronic commerce, comparisons of IT laws and business environments in different regions of the world, strategies for computer law practitioners, and intellectual property legislation relating to software and other forms of technology.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged into 3 series:
Series 1, CLA conferences, 1982-2005
Series 2, CLA books and periodicals, 1986-2005
Series 3, Non-CLA legal publications, 1985-1999
Separated Material
Three CD-ROMS were separated from the main collection.
Biographical/Historical Note
The Computer Law Association (CLA), initially called the Computer Lawyers Group, was founded in 1971 by seven lawyers practicing or interested in computer law. Its purpose was to provide a forum for those in the technology legal field to network, share information, and discuss current legal developments related to computers and telecommunications. They began holding regular meetings on the East Coast, and the organization quickly grew in size. In 1973, the group was incorporated into the nonprofit Computer Law Association. The CLA held several national and international conferences each year, including its annual Computer Law Update (later the World Computer and Internet Law Congress), conducted workshops, and also published periodicals and reports on computer law. As international membership grew, the CLA changed its name in 2006 to the International Technology Law Association, or ITechLaw.