Winter term, Block Winter
M,T,W,Th,F 2 PM - 5 PM
Visiting Professor Jonathan Zittrain
3 classroom credits LAW-39150A Winter
2, 3, or 4 optional clinical credits Fall or Spring
This course examines current legal, political, and technical struggles for control/ownership of the global Internet and its content. Course themes include the interaction between emerging Internet self-governance regimes and rule by traditional sovereigns; the expression of conflicting interests of commercial and individual Internet speakers/broadcasters; new modes of control over widely distributed intellectual property; and the potential for market giants and other architects of Internet technologies to constrain behavior online in ways governments find difficult to assimilate. Classroom discussion of these topics may be augmented by online discussion software through which students will have one-on-one exchanges about issues in the course.
No specialized technical expertise is required, so long as students are prepared to use and experiment with new technologies as part of their coursework and participation. Cyberlaw I: Basic Internet is not a prerequisite for this course.
Students interested in writing their third-year papers in conjunction with this course should consult the instructor.
Students who wish to enroll in the class with a clinical component must do so through the Office of Clinical and Pro Bono Programs. Please refer to the Office of Clinical and Pro Bono Programs website at http://www.law.harvard.edu/academics/clinical/ for early drop/add deadlines and rules for all clinical courses.
M,T,W,Th,F 2 PM - 5 PM
Visiting Professor Jonathan Zittrain
3 classroom credits LAW-39150A Winter
2, 3, or 4 optional clinical credits Fall or Spring
This course examines current legal, political, and technical struggles for control/ownership of the global Internet and its content. Course themes include the interaction between emerging Internet self-governance regimes and rule by traditional sovereigns; the expression of conflicting interests of commercial and individual Internet speakers/broadcasters; new modes of control over widely distributed intellectual property; and the potential for market giants and other architects of Internet technologies to constrain behavior online in ways governments find difficult to assimilate. Classroom discussion of these topics may be augmented by online discussion software through which students will have one-on-one exchanges about issues in the course.
No specialized technical expertise is required, so long as students are prepared to use and experiment with new technologies as part of their coursework and participation. Cyberlaw I: Basic Internet is not a prerequisite for this course.
Students interested in writing their third-year papers in conjunction with this course should consult the instructor.
Students who wish to enroll in the class with a clinical component must do so through the Office of Clinical and Pro Bono Programs. Please refer to the Office of Clinical and Pro Bono Programs website at http://www.law.harvard.edu/academics/clinical/ for early drop/add deadlines and rules for all clinical courses.