An examination of certain legal issues relating to the British publishing industry

This study examines certain legal issues relating to the British publishing process, concentrating namely on author-publisher agreements, electronic publishing, copyright and the legal ramifications concerned with the dissemination of cultural literature, leading to issues of blasphemous libel, defamation, obscenity and breach of confidence. Where deemed appropriate, legal case studies have been cited in order to enhance a point, for example, in terms of electronic publishing, the leading case involving the Canadian company, Microfor is examined and the issue of copyright infringement in databases is highlighted. Also mentioned are various authors whose works have excited immense public interest and have had legal implications for the British publishing world.