Technical advances are currently playing a prominent role in media law. The terms of use for media products have radically changed since the introduction of the Internet and the process of digitalization. The technical requirements for distributing media products as well as users' behavior have consequences for the legal framework of media law. The retention of stored data is just one example.

The fifth volume addresses fundamental questions regarding the provider's liability, the protection of personal data, and the responsibility of users and companies under criminal law. With regard to these matters, special emphasis is placed on the laws governing telemedia, telecommunications, data banks, as well as IT security and media criminal law.

Matthias Hartmann, HK2 Rechtsanwälte, Berlin; Bernd Heinrich, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin; Gregor Kutzschbach, Bundesministerium des Innern, Berlin; Claudia Ohst, Berlin; Jan Pohle, DLA Piper UK LLP, Köln.