Course Information – December 2016 – January 2017 (As of January 14, 2017)
EXAM INSTRUCTIONS AND QUESTIONS – click for document
Introduction
This course examines the legal and policy issues relating to information technology (IT) from a comparative, global perspective. It covers wide range of issues involving how national governments regulate the technology of internet and how private citizens’ rights relating to internet are protected. Issues to be canvassed include privacy and personal data, internet jurisdiction, regulation of internet marketing, issues in electronic transactions, internet governance, domain name business models and disputes, intellectual property challenges for new business models, legal issues raised by cloud computing, as well as net neutrality and telecom regulation. Each class will begin with a brief mini-case study modelled on the business school case study approach. Students will consider the fact pattern, briefly partner to discuss potential responses, and then engage in a class-wide discussion. The case study will be followed by a seminar/lecture format that will include lectures, discussion, and video presentations. Class powerpoints will be posted after class.
Grading
The course grade is based 100% on a final paper. Submission deadline is January 31, 2017. Paper length is minimum of 8 pages. No maximum. Paper can be a case comment, analytical memorandum on an IT law issue, comparative analysis piece, or other original written work.
Class Structure
Each class will begin with a brief mini-case study modelled on the business school case study approach. Students will consider the fact pattern, briefly partner to discuss potential responses, and then engage in a class-wide discussion. The case study will be followed by a seminar/lecture format that will include lectures, discussion, and video presentations. Class powerpoints will be posted after class.
Course Outline and Readings
December 26, 2016, 14:15 – 15:45 – Introduction to course (Room 209)
- Post & Johnson, Law and Borders
- Geist, Cyberlaw 2.0
- Tel Aviv-Jaffa District Commander v. Israel Internet Association
December 27, 2016 – 10:15 – 11:45, 12:15 – 13:45 – Jurisdiction – Which Law Applies Online? (Room 209)
Readings
- Geist, Is There a There There?
- Zippo v. Zippo.com
- Bangoura v. Washington Post
- Equustek Solutions vs. Google
- Goldhar v. Haaretz
- Israel Paypal Lawsuit (article)
December 30, 2016 – 11:45 – 13:15 – E-commerce Regulation – What Does It Mean When You Click I Agree (Room 100)
Readings
January 2, 2016 – 8:30 – 10:00 – Internet Governance, Part One (Room 100)
Readings
- Nehf, James P., Domain Names and Websites as Collateral: Managing Uncertainty in Secured Financing Transactions (2016) (pp. 1-6, 7-11)
- Internet Governance Project, Alternate DNS Roots And The Abominable Snowman Of Sovereignty
- Mueller, Milton, The IANA Transition and the Role of Governments in Internet Governance
- OECD Digital Economy Outlook 2015, P. 20, 71-73, 123
January 4, 2017 – 12:15 – 14:00 – Internet Governance, Part Two and Domain Names (Room 209)
Readings
- Geist, Fair.com (scroll to article)
- Tucows.com v. Lojas Renner S.A.
- Yahoo v. Yahoo Israel
- Israel domain name registrations
- Weinstein v. Iran
January 5, 2017 – 12:15 – 13:45 – Domain Name Issues (Room 308)
Readings
- PIPEDA
- The Future of Privacy Forum, The US – EU Safe Harbor: An Analysis of the Framework’s Effectiveness in Protecting Personal Privacy
- Privacy Shield analysis
- Bradford, The Brussels Effect (pgs. 2-19, 22-26, 39-43, 48-63)
- A Guide to Data Protection in Israel (skim)
- EU Working Party Decision on Adequacy of Israel Data Protection Law
January 11, 2017 – 10:15 – 12:00 – Digital Copyright (Room 209)
Readings
- CCH v. LSUC
- Alberta (Education) v. Access Copyright
- Duncan Matthews, The Rise and Fall of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA): Lessons for the European Union
- Benkler et al, Social Mobilization and the Networked Public Sphere: Mapping the SOPA-PIPA Debate
- Israel Copyright Act
- Limitations and Exceptions to Copyright in Israel
- What Can Canada Learn From Israel About Copyright Reform?
January 12, 2017 – 12:15 – 13:45 – Digital Copyright continued (Room 308)
January 13, 2017 – 10:00 – 12:30 – Hot Topics: Net Neutrality, the TPP, and the “Sharing Economy” (Room 100)
Readings
- CRTC Internet traffic management decision, October 2009
- India, TRAI zero rating decision, February 2016
- McTaggart, Net Neutrality and Canada’s Telecommunications Act
- Assessing Effects of the Trans-Pacific Partnership on Telecommunications, IP and Public Interest
- Economic Aspects of Net Neutrality in Israel
- Net Neutrality and Israeli Antitrust Law