The increased availability of computers, printers and high-speed networks could make electronic publishing a reality. One of the major technical and economic challenges faced by electronic publishing is that of preventing individuals from easily copying and illegally distributing electronic documents. In this paper, we explore the use of cryptographic protocols to discourage the distribution of...

SUMMARIZES DEVELOPMLNT of electronic publishing since the early THE 1960s-when computers were used merely to produce conventional printed products-to the present move toward networked scholarly publishing.

The current dramatic evolution in information technology is bringing major mod i cations in the way scientists communicate The concept of electronic publishing is too restrictive and has often di erent sometimes con icting interpretations It is thus giving way to the broader notion of electronic information handling en compassing the diverse types of information the di erent media as well as th...