COURSE DESCRIPTION 2012 2013

Mr. TBA,

2 credits day; 2 credits evening. Internet law is taught using the problem approach though there is a "soft" Socratic approach in discussing cases. The course is very contemporary and also draws upon current developments. Students are expected to be prepared especially for pre- assigned cases. My course emphasizes international or comparative developments with an emphasis on European Union regulations, conventions, and directives. For example, we study the Brussels Regulation on Jurisdiction and compare it to the U.S. due-process model of personal jurisdiction. This discussion is used to examine topics such as Internet Governance. There is an examination which is half short answer and half essay closed book. There is also a paper option. Students selecting the paper option will also be graded on a 25% basis on their class participation. The paper option requires the student to choose a topic that is novel, nonobvious, and utilitarian. In other words, the paper option requires the student to make an argument. In Internet Law, successful proposals will often include empirical studies, informal interviews, and comparative studies (i.e. U.S. versus European approaches to Choice of Law and Enforcement of Judgments). Many students choose law reform pieces as opposed to "case crunchers" given that many emergent issues have not yet been addressed by the courts or by legislation. Class participation is graded at 25% and is significant. This course emphasizes perspectives on Internet law, models of Internet Governance as well as e-commerce or Internet topics such as cyber jurisdiction, e-commerce licensing, torts in cyberspace, information-based torts, consumer regulation in cyberspace, Internet-related Privacy, Cybercrimes & Data Security, intellectual property in cyberspace (copyrights, trademarks/domain names, trade secrets, and Internet-related patents). The course emphasizes IP and E-Commerce issues. The Internet is transforming issues such as personal jurisdiction, conflict of law, choice of law, choice of forum, intellectual property, torts, contracts, privacy and public regulation. This course examines the sources of Internet Law: industry standards, U.S. case law, national regulations, and supranational law. Global Internet Law issues such as the Brussels Regulation, European Union Directives, and cross-border litigation will be explored. This course focuses on practical issues confronting a hypothetical e-business in a global world system such as: 1) How to protect intellectual property in cyberspace; 2) How to create and enforce web site and other online contracts; 3) How to avoid liability and protect rights in cyberspace; 4) How to conduct a legal audit prior to doing business on the Internet; 5) E-Commerce law and policy; and 6) Compliance with national and supranational law and policies. Students wishing to complete their legal writing requirement may write a substantive research paper in lieu of the final examination with approval of the instructor. Students will be evaluated on the basis of a final examination in addition to participation in classroom exercises.

Elective Course

Meets Intellectual Property Concentration Requirements

Meets International Law Concentration Requirements

May Fulfill Legal Writing Requirement

Final Exam or Paper Required

LLM Course

Interviewing and Counseling