Intellectual Property in Cyberspace
SLN #: 87308Course Prefix: LAW-691
Course Section: 012
Credit Hours: 3
Instructor(s): Karjala
Course Books: View List of Books
Course Description:
This course will consider how our thinking about intellectual property is being transformed by the advent of digital technologies. The course will begin with some detailed consideration of the legal protection of computer software, under both copyright and patent law. We may also consider some international protection of computer technology as well as software licensing problems, such as the case of MDY v. Blizzard, involving the Worlds of Warcraft multiplayer video game. We will then turn to specific intellectual property problems arising out of or associated with the internet and related digital technologies, including a detailed look at cases interpreting the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) in various contexts, as well as the liability of internet service providers and cases like Tiffany v. eBay that address the level of supervision and control are required by major players in cyberspace who are not themselves infringers but whose products or services allow others to infringe copyrights and trademarks. Course materials will largely be distributed through the class web site. There are no formal prerequisites, but at a minimum Introduction to Intellectual Property (or Commercial Torts) should be taken concurrently. Any other IP course, especially copyright, will provide useful background. However, any ASU law student interested in intellectual property and willing to make some effort to understand what is going on will be able to do so.
Students will have the option of writing a paper or taking a take-home exam. 50% of the final grade will be based on class performance.
Additional Information:
Credit Hours: 3
Grading Option: Numeric Grade or Letter Grade Only
Graduation Writing Requirement: No
Flexible/Upper-Level Writing Requirement: No
Skills Requirement: Yes
Simulation Course: No
Experiential Learning: No
Seminar: No
Prerequisite: Copyright or Commercial Torts recommended
Special Withdrawal Course: No
Final Exam Given: Optional
Final Exam Type: Take-Home
Paper Or In-Class Presentation: Students will have the option of writing a paper or taking a take-home exam.
Participation Points: Grades will depend heavily on class participation
Attendance Policy: Per Statement Of Student Policies
Additional Attendance Policy: Attendance is mandatory
* The law school has a policy that is used to calculate credit hours. Please see the Statement of Student Policies.