LAW7426 - International copyright law

Leader: Professor Bernt Hugenholtz

Offered

City (Melbourne) Summer semester A 2008 (On-campus block of classes)

Synopsis

Works of authorship travel easily across national borders, giving copyright law an international dimension almost by definition. Increasingly, national copyright norms are being established at the international level, either in the form of multilateral treaties or bilateral instruments. At the same time, the Member States of the European Union have been pursuing an ambitious programme of harmonization, which might lead to a unified European Copyright Law in the long-term future. This course explores past and recent developments in international copyright law. Particular attention is paid to Comparative law, International Copyright Conventions and Harmonisation of copyright law in Europe.

Objectives

Having successfully completion this course students will:
(1) be able to identify and comprehend basic problems of copyright law in an international context; (2) be able to identify the main differences between the 'author's rights' paradigm in civil law and the 'copyright' approach in common law; (3) have a good working knowledge of the main international treaties and European directives in the area of copyright law; (4) have a basic understanding of the main political and economic drivers influencing international copyright law; (5) be able to compare and apply copyright rules from different jurisdictions to the same set of facts; (6) be able to write a well-reasoned paper on a designated topic in the area of international copyright law.

Assessment

One research assignment (3,750 words): 50%
One take-home examination (3,750 words): 50%

Contact hours

24 Hours

Prerequisites

Nil

Co-requisites

Nil

Prohibitions

Nil