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Argues that electronic communications privacy laws in Pennsylvania and the United States are constitutional. Provisions of 18 U.S. Code Section 2511(1)(c); Reference to some lawsuits on disputes related to electronic communications; Principal forms of electronic communications with which statues are concerned.

Argues that electronic communications privacy laws in Pennsylvania and the United States are unconstitutional. Provision of Title III of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Street Act; Reference to some lawsuits regarding the laws; Discussion on the applicability of the laws to some lawsuits.

The article focuses on the jurisdictional issues in global transmissions. It has been stated that in the information age where teleconferences replace in-person meetings, telecommuting replaces going to the office, and international networks facilitate global transmissions, it becomes mandatory to address the question of legal jurisdiction. All legally incorporated enterprises have official books of record. Governmental authorities use these manual or automated records to determine an enterprise's status. The effective sovereignty of the nation in which an enterprise operates is reflected in the government's ability to enforce a court order for these records.

Provides excerpts from oral arguments in the lawsuit Gloria Bartnicki and Anthony F. Kane, Jr. versus Frederick W. Vopper, et al. in Supreme Court regarding privacy in electronic communications in the United States. Loopholes in telecommunication laws; Reference to some other lawsuits on the issue.

Looks at an October 1996 court decision that suspended Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules on pricing and contracts, which forced local telephone companies such as the Baby Bells to lease local phone lines to competitors at a discount. Details of the decision; Likelihood of an appeal reaching the US Supreme Court; Deregulation complications for the Baby Bells.

Reports on US District Judge T.S. Ellis' decision that the 1984 Cable Act's ban on telephone companies owning cable television systems in their territories violates the First Amendment, and thus is unconstitutional. Company which filed the case; Impact on local exchange carriers in the cable television industry; Attitude of government officials; Plans for appeal.

The author talks about the lawsuit filed by former CEO Frank Dunn against Nortel Networks for wrongfully firing him in 2004 that consequently caused him mental distress. The author expresses that if everyone in the telecom suffers mental distress and gets remuneration for it, everyone then could retire in financial security. He admits that it is tempting to think that the most important role of CEO is handling the mental distress since directors confirm that it is indeed the nature of the job so that only the most qualified candidates are lured with high pay.

Presents cases that provides insights into how government contracts are awarded in the U.S. Award received by WorldCom Inc. on a contract by the Pentagon to construct a wireless telephone network in Iraq; Multi-million lawsuit won by TelRom Telecommunications against Pacific Bell Corp. after a government contract to provide pre-paid calling card vending machines; Facts of the case; Basis for the cort's decision.

Reports on a privacy lawsuit filed against Comcast Communications claiming it violated federal telecommunications law by recording subscriber Web browsing activities in the U.S. Amount sought by the suit; Allegations of the lawsuit; Defense offered by the company.

Focuses on the antitrust suit filed by GTE Internetworking subsidiary against AT&T, Comcast and At Home Corp in the United States. Difference between digital subscriber line (DSL) and cable modems; Credibility of the DSL service of GTE; Remarks of the Federal Communications Commission on the issue; Reason of GTE for filing of charges against the companies.

Opinion. Argues in favor of US District Court Judge T.S. Ellis' decision declaring the unconstitutionality of a 1984 Cable Act provision that blocked companies from owning cable television systems. Impact of regulations on competition; Status of competition in the cable television industry; Ways by which Congress and President Bill Clinton's administration can help the industry.