Curriculum Guide · Courses

Professor Robert Kasunic

J.D. Course 110 (cross-listed) | 3 credit hours

This course examines the legal protection afforded to the creator of literary, musical, artistic, and cinematographic works. In addition to surveying the wide range of copyrightable subject matter, the course will consider copyright’s purpose, its statutory structure, its application in the courts, and its role within the overall framework of intellectual property law and society. Topics covered will include the subject matter requirements for copyrightability; the exclusive rights of copyright owners; limitation on those rights, including fair use; and a spectrum of issues arising in copyright infringement litigation. The class will also consider the challenges that technological change poses for traditional copyright principles. Recent developments such as the DMCA, peer-to-peer file sharing, digital delivery services, search engines, and participatory media platforms will also be considered.