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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