This guidebook presents four major court decisions that have helped shape the issue of intellectual property rights. The cases and rulings are explained, as well as dissenting and majority opinions. Further information is shared about each case's impact on society. Chapter one explains whether home videotaping of shows violates copyright law. Chapter two covers whether news media should use unpublished material without permission. Chapter three presents information on the Copyright Term Extension Act of 1998. Chapter four covers the distribution of software intended for illegal file-sharing.