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World-Infostructure Knowledge Base The objective of World-Infostructure's knowledge base is to bring focus to the human dimension of information and communication technologies in a dynamic world of vested interests. It is designed to provide an overview of the status quo, the development and the history of the Infosphere as well as to enhance the visibility of issues of public interest that arise in connection with the emergence of digital media and computer networks. World-Infostructure's research matrix focuses on digitization, globalization, consolidation, integration, concentration, commercialization, participation, cooperation, innovation, emancipation, democratization, diversification, convergence and empowerment and is divided into eight main areas: World-Infostructure: history of communication systems; slaves and expert systems; biometrics; biotechnology convergence Global Networks: development, functioning and administration of global data networks Global Markets: proprietary relationships; issues of regulation Global Brain-Ware: information politics; dynamics of opinion-making Global Content Channels: content production and distribution; public vs. commercial interest; digital copyright; PR and advertising Global Info-Rights: censorship; online activism; disinformation; digital divide Global Security: surveillance, security and control technologies; data protection and cryptography; ECHELON Global Data Bodies: virtualization of social identity; abuse and marketing of personal data All World-Infostructure content is cross-linked and supplemented by so-called Index Cards that provide more detailed information on specific terms and World-Information.Org's Link Base, which is a fast tool for locating independent information and critical analysis on the web and contains several hundred hand-selected URLs that are accompanied by short descriptions and categorized by the eight research areas of World-Infostructure. World-Infostructure presents the results of the research program that has been carried out in connection with World-Information.Org since autumn 1999.  INDEX CARD     RESEARCH MATRIX  Neighboring rights Copyright laws generally provide for three kinds of neighboring rights: 1) the rights of performing artists in their performances, 2) the rights of producers of phonograms in their phonograms, and 3) the rights of broadcasting organizations in their radio and television programs. Neighboring rights attempt to protect those who assist intellectual creators to communicate their message and to disseminate their works to the public at large.