Cyber Cell
With the advent of Computers as a basic tool of Communication, Information Processing, Information Storage, Physical Devices Control, etc., a whole new Cyber Society has come into existence. This Cyber society operates on a virtual world created by Technology and it is the �Cyber Space Engineering � that drives this world. In maintaining harmony and co-existence of people in this Cyber Space, there is a need for a legal regime which is what we recognize as �Cyber laws�. Cyber Laws are the basic laws of a Society and hence have implications on every aspect of the Cyber Society such as Governance, Business, Crimes, Entertainment, Information Delivery, Education etc.

THE NEED FOR CYBER LAW?
  • Coming of the Internet.
  • Greatest cultural, economic, political and social transformation in the history of human Society
  • Complex legal issues arising leading to the development of cyber law.
  • Different approaches for controlling, regulating and facilitating electronic communication and commerce.

CATEGORIES OF CYBER LAWS
  • Laws Relating to Digital Contracts
  • Laws Relating to Digital Property
  • Laws Relating to Digital Rights
  • Law of Cyber Crimes
  • Aims to provide the legal infrastructure for e-commerce in India.
  • India 's codified Cyber law is the Information Technology Act, 2000 (Act 21 of 2000).
  • Based on the INCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Commerce, 1996.
  • IT Act is divided into 13 chapters and has 94 sections.
  • Amendments to IPC, Indian Evidence Act, Bankers Book Evidence Act and RBI Act have been effected.

The Act provides for:
  • Legal Recognition of Electronic Documents
  • Legal recognition of Electronic commerce Transactions
  • Admissibility of Electronic data/evidence in a Court of Law
  • Legal Acceptance of digital signatures
  • Punishment for Cyber obscenity and crimes
  • Establishment of Cyber regulations advisory Committee and the Cyber Regulations Appellate Tribunal.
  • Facilitation of electronic filing maintenance of electronic records.

THE IT ACT, 2000 � OBJECTIVES
  • To provide legal recognition for transactions:-
  • Carried out by means of electronic data interchange, and Other means of electronic communication, commonly referred to as "electronic commerce", involving the use of alternatives to paper-based methods of communication and storage of information.
  • To facilitate electronic filing of documents with the Government agencies
  • To amend the Indian Penal Code, the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, the Banker's Book
    Evidence Act, 1891 and the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934
  • Aims to provide for the legal framework so that legal sanctity is accorded to all electronic records and other activities carried out by electronic means.

I.T. ACT 2000 - Overall Perspectives
The IT Act is a first step taken by the Government of India towards promoting the growth of e-commerce.
It is a first historical step.