READI

(Rights for Electronic Access to and Delivery of Information)

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DATA INTEGRITY

Definition

Data integrity refers to securing information in the form the seller originally presented it to the buyer--each element fully retrievable and secure and which has not been dispersed or corrupted by other files or data.

Discussion

Many publishers are obviously concerned that their files will be manipulated to such a degree that they are either no longer recognizable (and perhaps no longer reflect the care which were placed in the file originally). Thus far, experience with networked information has shown that in large measure files remain sealed and uncorrupted. Both buyers and sellers have a vested interest in making certain that files remain intact. In order to increase security, publishers may wish to encode their text or create digital signatures which may reveal tampering. Most publishers have chosen to trust buyers, allowing a great deal of liberty in the use of the text, so long as the file itself remains secure.

Some buyers, eager to create a uniform "look and feel" environment for all their online products and services to their authorized users, negotiate access to "raw" files which are then loaded by buyers on custom networks to appear seamless to users.

Benefits

It is important for buyers to guarantee to sellers that the data in their files remain secure. Buyers feel obligated to protect sellers from misuse and protect publishers from copyright infringement or file debasement.

Risks

No system can be made totally secure. Violations will occur. The question for both buyers and sellers is: How many violations can be tolerated?

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Any comments, or feedback?		Last Update:   Wednesday, 03 July, 2002 - 04:22 PM - EDT