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INTERNATIONAL LAW: HINDRANCE OR HELP?
Citation:
Brilis, G M. AND J G. Lyon. INTERNATIONAL LAW: HINDRANCE OR HELP? Presented at Monitoring Science & Technology Symposium, Denver, CO, September 20-24, 2004.
Impact/Purpose:
The overall objective of this task is to provide the Agency with improved science guidance and strategies for more effective science management and administration.
Description:
As international Remote Sensing/Geographic Information Systems (RS/GIS)
organizations develop, legal issues are becoming an important factor in promoting or limiting international cooperation. We must keep legal considerations in mind during the creation, implementation, and use of large public and private geospatial projects.
In addition to the organizations, treaties, and resolutions, put forth by the United Nations, many countries that do not currently have, or are developing their own space laws, use the laws
of the United States as a framework, or they simply adopt them. These laws are forever changing, especially in the United States since "9/11." In general, "Sensing States" utilize space laws, while the "Sensed States" utilize Earth laws. Arguments abound on where to draw the line between space and earth laws for the players that debate their rights to see and be seen.
The major space laws that we should all be aware ofwill be reviewed. While these laws affect us all in science and policy, they may be perceived as "external" to the citizens of a country .Laws and policy's are most effective when supported by a country's citizens.
Therefore, in addition to the major space laws and policies, the affect of increased and shared remotely sensed information on the citizens will be discussed. These areas include: Public Access; Liability; Privacy; RS/GIS data as evidence; Intellectual Property, and Copyrights. New technology is pushing the law into new territory, and some of that territory is the citizens' mind.