Introduction To Information Technology Law

Timetable

Suggested date for classes: Mondays at 11.30 - 13.00.

(The date may change)

Module aim (aims)

The student should understand basic concepts of Information Technology law such as computer program, interface, reverse engineering, software defect, software error, electronic signature or cloud computing.

The student should have key information on software contracts, i.e. their typology, subject-matter and significance.

The student should understand electronic forms of legal actions (transactions) and the methods of concluding a contract by using means of electronic communication.

The student should have key information regarding services performed over the Internet, including cloud computing services.

Pre-requisites in terms of knowledge, skills and social competences (where relevant)

Reasonable command of English. Knowledge of contract law and intellectual property law is appreciated, although not essential.

Syllabus

Week 1: Information Technology law: notion, genesis, subject-matter, mode of regulation

Week 2: Software in general I: legal protection of computer programs

Week 3: Software in general II: exclusive rights to the computer program and their limitation

Week 4: Software contracts I: typology, proprietary software contracts

Week 5: Software contracts II: non-proprietary software contracts, abandonware

Week 6: Contracts for the supply of digital content and digital services: notion, scope of application, performance of obligations

Week 7: Contracts for the supply of digital content and digital services: failure to supply the digital content or digital service, lack of conformity, remedies available to the consumer, unilateral modification of the contract

Week 8: Electronic form of legal action I: general information, electronic signature

Week 9: Electronic form of legal action II: electronic seal, electronic time stamp, electronic registered service, certificate for website, trust services

Week 10: Contracting in the Internet I: general information, offer and its acceptance

Week 11: Contracting in the Internet II: auction and negotiation

Week 12: Information society services I: general information, unsolicited commercial information, hosting, caching, mere conduit

Week 13: Cloud computing: contracts and data protection

Week 14: Periphery of IT law: the status of computer games, transactions in the virtual world

Week 15: Test

Reading list

In English:

1. Bainbridge D., Introduction to Computer Law, Pearson Education 2004

2. Rowland D., Kohl U., Charlesworth A., Information Technology Law, Routledge 2016

3. Reed Ch. (ed.), Computer Law, Oxford University Press 2012

4. Rustad M.L., Software Licensing. Principles and Practical Strategies, LexisNexis 2015

In French:

1. Bitan H., Droit et expertise des contrats informatiques. Contrats de communications électroniques. Vision expertale de la protection des données, Lamy 2017

2. Montero É., Les contrats de l’informatique et de l’internet, Bruxelles 20053. Le Tourneau Ph., Contrats informatiques et électroniques, Paris 2010

In German:

1. Koch F., Handbuch. Software- und Datenbank-Recht, Berlin-Heidelberg 2003

2. Fröhlich-Bleuler G., Softwareverträge. System-, Software-Lizenz- und Software-Pflegevetrag, Bern 2003

3. Schneider J., F. von Westphalen F. (ed.), Software-Erstellungsverträge, Köln 2006

4. Staudegger E. (ed.), Informatikrecht, Wien 2003

5. Straub W., Informatikrecht. Einführung in Softwareschutz, Projektverträge und Haftung, Bern 2003

In Polish:

1. Barta J., Markiewicz R., Główne problemy prawa komputerowego, Warszawa 1993

2. Barta J., Markiewicz R., Prawo autorskie, Warszawa 2013

3. Byrska M., Ochrona programu komputerowego w nowym prawie autorskim, Warszawa 1994

4. Koch A., Napierała J. (red.), Umowy w obrocie gospodarczym, Warszawa 2015

5. Nowicka A., Umowy o udostępnienie programów komputerowych w wybranych systemach prawnych, „Ruch Prawniczy Ekonomiczny i Społeczny” 1990, z. 3-4

6. Nowicka A., Prawnoautorska i patentowa ochrona programów komputerowych, Warszawa 1995

7. Traple E., Umowy o eksploatację utworu w prawie polskim, Warszawa 2010

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Newer editions are of course wolcome.