Leader: Dr Melissa de Zwart

Offered

City (Melbourne) Second semester 2008 (Evening)

Synopsis

This unit will consider:

1. the legal issues that arise from participation in online role playing games and other online communities;
2. the fundamental issues of how laws may be applied to such 'communities' and if the law of contract will overrule the application of specific national laws to such environments;
3. other issues which may affect the creation and use of content in such environments, such as the law of property, taxation, intellectual property and privacy;
4. consider practical legal issues as well as the policy issues which will underpin the application of the law in this area. The subject will address Australian and US laws, and other international laws, as appropriate.

Objectives

On completion of this unit, students should

1. have an enhanced appreciation of the nature of online communities and virtual worlds, including their economic significance;
2. be able to identify particular legal issues that arise in online communities and virtual worlds;
3. have a clear understanding of the contractual issues that arise in the context of joining, using and participating in online communities;
4. be able to identify and understand the property and taxation issues that arise in the context of online communities;
5. have a clear understanding of the intellectual property issues related to online communities;
6. have a clear understanding of the privacy and identity issues that arise from participation in online communities;
7. have a clear understanding of conflicts of laws issues as they apply to virtual worlds; and
8. have a clear understanding of how legal issues arising from participating in online communities may be avoided or resolved.

Assessment

Research paper (3,750 words): 50%
Take-home exam (3,750 words) 50%

Contact hours

24 Hours

Prerequisites

Nil

Co-requisites

Nil

Prohibitions

Nil