JUS5660 - Intellectual Property Law in the Information Society
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Course content
The course concerns intellectual property law with a focus on copyright, trademarks and patent laws, particularly as these apply to information and communications technology (ICT). The course has primarily a European perspective, paying special attention to EU legislation within the field. It provides an overview of other relevant international codes, along with pertinent national traditions and rules, including those in Norway. Account is also taken of relevant legal developments in selected non-European countries—most notably, the USA.
A salient set of issues taken up in the course concern the tensions between, on the one hand, intellectual property regimes and their enforcement mechanisms, and, on the other hand, competing rights and interests, such as freedom of expression and consumer protection, in the light of developments in ICT usage.
The course not only examines intellectual property law in light of technological developments but also considers the respective roles played by competition law and contract (licensing schemes) in regulating access to and use of digital content.
Learning outcomes
The primary objective of the course is to impart understanding of intellectual property law in general and in particular as it applies to modern forms of ICT, especially to distribution of information in digital networks (Internet).
Part of this objective involves facilitating understanding of how recent developments in ICT challenge traditional intellectual property law. It also involves facilitating understanding of the European and international rule sets for enforcement of intellectual property rights. Students shall further be made aware of systems for private enforcement of intellectual property rights in the digital context (Digital Rights Management Systems) and the legal regulation of such systems.
A secondary objective is to impart understanding of the main ways in which competition law and contract law respectively interact with intellectual property law. This involves making students aware of (i) how competition law may temper the impact of intellectual property regimes, (ii) how contract law may bolster and even supplant the functions carried out by intellectual property law, and (iii) the main contractual and competition law issues related to licensing of intellectual property.
A further aim of the course is not just to elucidate the legal rules as they currently stand but also to encourage critical appraisal of them. This involves analysing and challenging the assumptions upon which the rules are based, and discussion of alternative regulatory possibilities.
Admission
You may register for this course if you have admission to a Master of Law-programme at UiO, the faculty's exchange-programme or have admission to Law-electives at masters-level. All applicants must fill the formal prerequisites.
Students at UiO must apply for courses in StudentWeb.
International applicants, if you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures for international applicants.
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisites
Students must fill one of these requirements:
- Passed 1st - 3rd year of studies in Master's of Law (or examinations that qualify for exemption from these) or
- Passed Part I and II of the obligatory section of the 1996 variety of the Cand. Jur studies (or examinations that qualify for exemption from these) or
- Admission to a study programme at Master's level at the University of Oslo or
- Having a law degree or equivalent or
- Being an exchange student attached to the faculty
Overlap
10 credits against ICTLINTELL - Intellectual Property and Information Technology in a European and International perspective.
Teaching
Lectures and seminars, 20 hours.
Language of teaching for this course is English. This means that all
communication during lectures/seminars will be in English, and all
literature and auxiliary materials are in English.
Teaching takes place throughout the semester.
Exam information
Exam consists of two parts: a mid-term paper and a 4 hour written examination. Students who fail or do not deliver the mid-term essay will not be allowed to sit for the 4 hour examination.
In case of retake, a candidate must retake both examinations, even if the candidate has successfully passed one of the examinations.
Please note that if a student wish to file an appeal in only one of the examinations, both examinations will automatically undergo a regrading.
Use of sources and rules for citing.
Be sure that you are familiar with the use of sources and the rules for citing/quoting from others’ work
UiO uses a plagiarism checking tool as one of several instruments for detecting suspicion of cheating and attempted cheating.
Exam resources
Auxiliary materials allowed during examinations for courses taught in English
Language of examination
The language of examination for this course is English. This means
that the examination question will be given in English, and students
may answer in English only.
Assessment and grading
The mid-term paper will account for 30% of the total grade, while the written examination will account for 70%. One total grade is given for the whole coursework.
Course grades are awarded on a descending scale using alphabetic grades from A to E for passes and F for fail. Read more about the grading system .
Explanations and appeals
Students can request an explanation of their grades, and can also appeal against their grades or make a complaint about formal examination errors. Read more about explanations and appeals
Possibility of make-up exams and re-takes
You can usually resit an exam, but the conditions depend on whether you had a valid reason for absence from the regular exam. Read more about resitting an exam .
Exam options for students with special needs
Students may apply for access to alternative exam resources or exam forms on the basis of chronic illness and/or special needs that create a marked disadvantage to other students in the exam situation. Mothers who are breastfeeding may apply for extra time to complete the exam.
Other information
The language for this course is English. Students enrolled in the
Masterprogrammet i rettsvitenskap must pass one
English subject as part of their degree, this course will meet these
obligations.
Contact us
The Faculty of Law
Visiting address:
Urbygningen, Karl Johans gate 47
Visiting hours:
15 Sept -14 May: 09.30 a.m.-15.45 p.m., 15. May -14 Sept:
9.30 a.m.-15 p.m.
Postal address:
P.O. Box 6706 St. Olavs plass
N - 0130 Oslo, Norway
Fax: +47 22 85 96 58
E-mail: info@jus.uio.no
Web: www.jus.uio.no/english/