Law 281: Introduction to Information Technology Law
The John Marshall Law School
Professor David E. Sorkin
Spring 2005
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.
The website for the course is located at www.informationtechnologylaw.com.
Instructor
David E. Sorkin, Associate Professor of Law
Office: Room 738
Telephone: (312) 987-2387
E-mail: 7sorkin@jmls.edu
Office hours: Mondays 4:00-6:00 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, publisher's list price $87). (Supplemental materials will be made available on the course website.)
Course requirements and grading
The class meets on Thursday mornings from 10:00 to 11:50. Some extended or make-up sessions may be scheduled. Class attendance is expected, and students will be held responsible for material covered at all class meetings. Students who miss more than three class sessions will not be eligible to receive credit for the course unless alternative arrangements have been made in advance. 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.
Semester schedule
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. (Materials other than the casebook are available on the course website.)
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*]
3a. Domain Names and Trademarks
- Casebook pp. 629-647, 664-671, 676-682
- 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]
3b. Domain Names and Trademarks, continued
- Casebook pp. 682-698
- Nissan Motor Co. v. Nissan Computer Corp., 378 F.3d 1002 (9th Cir. 2004) [official version]
- 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]
- U-Haul Int'l, Inc. v. WhenU.com, Inc., 279 F. Supp. 2d 723 (E.D. Va. 2003) [West version]
- Playboy Enterprises, Inc. v. Netscape Communications Corp., 354 F.3d 1020 (9th Cir. 2004) [West version]
4. Copyright Law in Cyberspace
- Kelly v. Arriba Soft Corp., 336 F.3d 811 (9th Cir. 2003)
- Casebook pp. 712-745
- MGM Studios, Inc. v. Grokster Ltd., 380 F.3d 1154 (9th Cir. 2004), cert. granted (U.S. Dec. 10, 2004) [official version]
- Casebook pp. 745-771
5. Content Regulation
- Casebook pp. 799-825
- Ashcroft v. ACLU, 124 S. Ct. 2783 (2004) [official version]
- United States v. American Library Ass'n, 539 U.S. 194 (2003) [official version]
6. Privacy and Anonymity
- In re Pharmatrak, Inc., 329 F.3d 9 (1st Cir. 2003) [West version]
- Casebook pp. 866-893
- Recording Industry Ass'n of America, Inc. v. Verizon Internet Services, Inc., 351 F.3d 1229 (D.C. Cir. 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 (and additional readings to be announced in class)
9. Copyright Protection for Computer Software
- Casebook pp. 3-6, 33-94, 109-110, 122-139
- Chamberlain Group, Inc. v. Skylink Technologies, Inc., 381 F.3d 1178 (Fed. Cir. 2004)
10. Patent, Trademark, and Sui Generis Protection
- Casebook pp. 149-155, 168-172, 181-187, 229-263, 275-276
- Feist Publications, Inc. v. Rural Telephone Service Co., 499 U.S. 340 (1991)
- National Basketball Ass'n v. Motorola, Inc., 105 F.3d 841 (2d Cir. 1997)
11. Licensing
- Casebook pp. 299-319, 324-355, 375-385
12. Antitrust Law
- Casebook pp. 387-392, 405-420, 442-446
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