Internet Law

Catalog description

This course examines legal issues raised by the pervasive use of the Internet and other modern communications technologies. The course particularly explores whether and in what ways the Internet challenges our understanding of core principles in different areas of substantive law, and how the law responds (or ought to respond) to technological change. Topics addressed include: the role of copyright in the digital environment, control over access to online information, communications privacy, the domain name system and other online markers, regulation of online service providers and liability for harmful speech, and jurisdiction and choice of law. No particular legal or technical background is assumed, but willingness to learn both is essential. This course has a take-home final examination. (This class was formerly known as Internet Law I; it is not open to students who took it under the former title.)