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Law 281: Introduction to Information Technology Law
The John Marshall Law School
Professor David E. Sorkin
Fall 2003

SYLLABUS

Overview

This course is designed to introduce students to the field of information technology law. Among the topics to be addressed are protection of computer software, information access and control, privacy and security, Internet law, and electronic commerce. This course is particularly appropriate for students who are preparing to participate on the Journal of Computer and Information Law or who are considering advanced studies in information technology law.

Instructor

David E. Sorkin, Associate Professor of Law
Office: 321 South Plymouth Court (CBA Building), room 1607
Telephone: (312) 987-2387
E-mail: david@sork.com
Office hours: Wednesdays 3:30-5:30 pm, and by appointment

Textbook

Mark Lemley, Peter S. Menell, Robert P. Merges & Pamela Samuelson, Software and Internet Law (2d ed., Aspen L. & Bus. 2003) (ISBN 0-7355-3654-6).  [Updates]

Course requirements and grading

The class meets on Wednesdays from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Class attendance is expected, and students will be held responsible for material covered at all class meetings. The class will be taught using a lecture-and-discussion format, and students must be prepared to discuss the assigned reading materials in class. If you wish to attend class but are unprepared to discuss the assigned materials, you should leave a signed note to that effect on my desk before class begins.

The course grade will be determined based upon a final examination at the end of the semester, and grades may be adjusted upward or downward by up to one full letter grade based upon attendance and class participation.

We will address topics in the sequence outlined below. Most topics will require approximately one class session each. Additional topics or assigned readings may be added during the semester. You should plan to stay at least one topic ahead in the readings. (Links to most or all of the materials other than the casebook are available on the instructor's web site at www.informationtechnologylaw.com.)

1.  Introduction

• Casebook pp. xxi-xxiii, 1, 581-582
• Optional:  Mark Lemley et al., Introduction to Computer Technology, Network Economics, and Intellectual Property Law
• Optional:  Barry M. Leiner et al., A Brief History of the Internet
• Optional:  Casebook pp. 1019-1033

  2.  Jurisdiction and Choice of Law

• Casebook pp. 583-628
• Young v. New Haven Advocate, 315 F.3d 256 (4th Cir. 2002)  [West version*]

  3.  Domain Names and Trademarks

• Casebook pp. 629-682
• Vivendi Universal v. Sallen, No. D2001-1121 (WIPO Nov. 7, 2001)
• Barcelona.com, Inc. v. Excelentisimo Ayuntamiento de Barcelona, 330 F.3d 617 (4th Cir. 2003)  [West version]
• Dluhos v. Strasberg, 321 F.3d 365 (3d Cir. 2003)  [West version]
• Casebook pp. 682-703
• Interactive Products Corp. v. a2z Mobile Office Solutions, Inc., 326 F.3d 687 (6th Cir. 2003)  [West version]
• Ty v. Perryman, 306 F.3d 509 (7th Cir. 2002)  [West version]

  4.  Copyright Law in Cyberspace

• Kelly v. Arriba Soft Corp., 336 F.3d 811 (9th Cir. 2003)
• Casebook pp. 712-745
• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, Inc. v. Grokster, Ltd., 259 F. Supp. 2d 1029 (C.D. Cal. 2003)
• Casebook pp. 745-773

  5.  Content Regulation

• Casebook pp. 799-809
• Batzel v. Smith, 333 F.3d 1018 (9th Cir. 2003)
• Casebook pp. 809-841
• United States v. American Library Ass'n, 123 S. Ct. 2297 (2003)  [official version]

  6.  Privacy and Anonymity

• Casebook pp. 859-893
• In re Verizon Internet Services, Inc., 257 F. Supp. 2d 244 (D.D.C. 2003)
• Remsburg v. Docusearch, Inc., 816 A.2d 1001 (N.H. 2003)  [West version]

  7.  Unauthorized Access

• Casebook pp. 921-952
• Intel Corp. v. Hamidi, 71 P.3d 296 (Cal. 2003)
• Casebook pp. 952-974
• United States v. Steiger, 318 F.3d 1039 (11th Cir. 2003)

  8.  Electronic Commerce

• Casebook pp. 983-1017

  9.  Copyright Protection for Computer Software

• Casebook pp. 3-6, 33-94, 109-110, 122-139
• Lexmark International, Inc. v. Static Control Components, Inc., 253 F. Supp. 2d 943 (E.D. Ky. 2003)  [West version]

  10.  Patent, Trademark, and Sui Generis Protection

• Casebook pp. 149-155, 181-194, 229-263, 275-287

  11.  Licensing

• Casebook pp. 299-355, 375-385

  12.  Antitrust Law

• Casebook pp. 387-392, 405-420, 442-452, 462-466

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A username and password is required to access these materials. Consult the LEGALEase web portal or contact the instructor for assistance.

Posted:  20 Aug 2003 Last modified:  20 Aug 2003