Cyberspace Law (Spring 2003)

The John Marshall Law School
February 17 - April 21, 2003: Mondays 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Room 1102
Todd H. Flaming
todd @ sw.com
(312) 701-9320

 
The exam and instructions are posted. Click here
Answers (or papers, if you chose to write a paper) are due by May 23 at 5:00 p.m. See the assignment for instructions on how to send them to me.

Classes 1-2: The Matrix

February 17, 24
In these two classes we will discuss the nature of cyberspace. There is no reading assignment for the first class. The reading for the second class will be handed out during the first class.

Class 3-4: Self Governance

March 3, March 24

In this class we will discuss how the Internet is governed, to the extent that it is. Reading will be Chapter 2, assigned in class.

Classes 5-6: Speech

March 31, April 7

In this class we will look at two battles to control speech on the Internet. Please read chapter 3 of the book. You may need the most recent version of Adobe Acrobat to read this file--get it here. Please contact me if you cannot access this file.

Classes 6-7: Copyright

April 7, 14

This class will look at the problem of applying copyright law in an era of cost-free, world-wide distribution. We will not be reading a chapter this week. Instead, please read the following materials prior to class: Napster, Copyright Office DMCA Summary (p. 1-13 only).

Class 8: Cybersquatting

April 21

This class will look at the problem of cybersquatting and how it has been resolved. Please read the following materials prior to class: Panavision, UDRP, ACPA, and Sporty's.

Class 9: Cyber Assaults

April 28

This class will look at treating the receipt of unwanted data as an assault. Please read: CompuServe v. Cyberpromotions, Intel v. Hamidi, and the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.

Class 10: Jurisdiction and Location

May 5

This class will look at the problem of location in cyberspace. Please read the following materials prior to class: Zippo, Yahoo french court decision (translated), and Yahoo California court order.