Course Structure and Objectives
Objective of Course
This course is designed to help students examine in detail some of the legal issues concerning the internet, computer software and their related technologies. In particular, the course will focus on where these legal issues have significantly affected the progression and dynamics of applicable laws. There will, as with most courses taught in a law class in this region, be a significant emphasis placed on the applicable laws of the Caribbean but there will also be discussion of laws from other jurisdictions that may influence the formation and progress of laws in this region.
Students are expected to demonstrate some understanding of the historical context of the internet and the developments made in related technology in the last fifty (50) years. This is in order to give context to their understanding of how these changes have resulted in the drafting of legislation or further amendment of existing legislation and the progression of case law related to the internet and computer technology. There will also be emphasis placed on the public policy concerns in the Caribbean, driving the content of related legislation and development of case law.
Students are expected to have a detailed and in depth understanding of Intellectual Property Law issues related to the internet and computer technology, since ownership of content on the internet and the development of computer technology and its compatibility and interface with other software are topical legal issues in the present age. Also, students will, (based on their acquired knowledge of these IP technology related issues), be guided towards the attainment of a proper understanding of the content of IP in technology licensing contracts.
Structure and Method of Evaluation
There will be ten weeks of teaching followed by one (1) week of review of the course and examination preparation. Your individual course work assignments will be handed out on or about Wednesday, February 26 and the deadline will be on or before Wednesday, March 25. There will be two course work assignments that will account for 10% each and will therefore together form 20% of your final grade. Further instructions regarding length, grading expectations, etc. will be issued contemporary with the assignment.
A group work assignment will also be given to you. This will account for another 10% of your final grade. This will be in the form of a fifteen (15) minute presentation to the class from each group. For the purpose of this exercise, students will be divided in groups of (5) five. Further instructions regarding grading and expectations, etc. will be issued contemporary with the assignment. The grade given to the group for this assignment will be the grade given to each student who is a member of that group.
The remaining 60% of your final grade will be determined through an examination at the end of the semester.
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Week no. |
Date (2020) |
Subject |
Reading Material |
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1. |
January 22 |
The Internet , World Wide Web and their history |
1.Power point presentation 2.UNITED STATES AND EUROPEAN UNION APPROACHES TO INTERNET JURISDICTION AND THEIR IMPACT ON E-COMMERCE- C. Chen p. 425 - 430 ( please see jurisdiction section for article) |
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2. |
January 29 |
Intellectual Property Issues Arising from Technology- Trade Marks and Domain Names - Licensing Agreements for Domain Names , Patents and IP Rights in Software, Software Licensing Agreements, Copyright and Digital Rights |
1.Power Point presentation 2.Intellectual Property Law - Lionel Bentley and Brad Sherman 3.Articles and cases uploaded
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3. |
February 5 |
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4. |
February 12 |
Data Protection and Privacy |
Please see documents uploaded in "privacy " section |
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5. |
February 19 |
1.Jurisdictional Issues (including but not limited to liability of internet service providers) 2.Course Work to begin |
Please see documents uploaded |
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6. |
February 26 |
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7. |
March 4 |
Cybercrimes | Please see docs uploaded |
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8. |
March 11 |
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9. |
March 18 |
1.The internet and public policy issues such as societal challenges and the legal implications of online gambling, online games, online property and pornography. 2.Course Work deadline 3.Students will receive instructions for group coursework |
tba |
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March 25 |
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10. |
April 1 |
1.Freedom of Speech and Regulation of Online Content 2.Students should indicate in this week what they would wish to review for the examination |
tba |
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11. |
April 8 |
1.Student s will present group coursework 2.Review of Syllabus and exam preparation |
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- Lecturer: Kai-Saran Davis