Module Information
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Seminars / Tutorials | 1.5 hour seminar per week |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|
Learning Outcomes
Three main objectives will be pursued namely to familiarise students with the theoretical debate surrounding governance of the internet, to assess critically the implications of this debate in some specific legal disciplines and to formulate alternative theoretical and practical solutions where appropriate. As a result, on completion of the module, students should be able to discuss the theoretical aspects of internet governance and the problems of jurisdiction and choice of law. They should be able to assess the practical factors affecting legal regulation of the internet in specific areas and should be able to analyse the approaches taken in a number of jurisdictions to regulate activities on global computer networks.
Brief description
This module introduces students to the legal challenges created by the increasing use of global computer networks. The impact of the use of the internet and world wide web both within the business environment (and more widely) extends far beyond its use as a vehicle for commercial transactions. In order to gain full benefit from the advantages that can be gained from the use of these networks it is vital to recognise the legal problems and assess the proposed solutions. The purpose of the module is to provide students with the theoretical and practical background surrounding the continuing legal challenges arising out of this activity and to enable informed criticism about the nature of the current legal solutions.
Content
1. Generic issues relating to computer network and the law including regulation by law and code, use of metaphor and legal reasoning, intermediary liability.
2. Privacy protection and data protection. The conflict between the different regulatory approaches taken in the US and EU.
3. Regulation of content on the internet and world wide web with particular reference to freedom of expression and defamation.
4. Intellectual property rights on the Internet including the problems of linking and framing and the protection available for domain names.
5. Computer crime and hacking.
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 7