With each mechanism, the web presents its own unique challenge, not the least of which is the fact that nations differ in their approach to intellectual property law. For example, in the case of China , very little can be done to prevent what most of us would consider the unfair use of copyrighted material. Mistaking the free distribution of content with the placement of intellectual property in the public domain is common among web users. A web page is not public domain material. To make matters worse, what is allowed under copyright law in the US with respect to digital works it not always clear.
New legislation attempts to address the increasingly digital nature of intellectual property.
But the web opens many new questions of what is legal, appropriate, and fair to copyright owners and consumers. The same can be said with respect to trademark and patent law. With each of these questions, it is not entirely clear what's fair under the law and what's not. Ultimately, it will be up to the judicial system to sort it out. The US Patent and Trademark Office has begun granting patents for new and novel business models .