Clinical Registration

Clinical registration for fall, winter, and spring clinics during the 2012-2013 academic year is now underway and runs through MONDAY, APRIL 2, 2012 at 11:59 PM (EDT).  Detailed information about clinical registration is available here.  Results of the clinical registration process will be available on THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012 at 5:00 PM (EDT).

About the Cyberlaw Clinic

HLS students interested in legal issues relating to technology and the Internet are encouraged to register for the Cyberlaw Clinic, which is based at Harvard's Berkman Center for Internet & Society.  The Cyberlaw Clinic engages students in a wide range of real-world litigation, licensing, client counseling, advocacy, and legislative projects and cases, covering a broad spectrum of Internet, new technology, and intellectual property issues.  The Clinic provides high-quality, pro-bono legal services to appropriate individuals, small start-ups, non-profit groups, and government entities.  The Clinic was the first of its kind, and it continues its tradition of innovation in its areas of practice.

The Clinic’s work includes counseling and legal guidance regarding complex open access, digital copyright, and fair use issues; litigation, amicus filings, and other advocacy to protect online speech and anonymity; legal resources and advice for citizen journalists; licensing and contract advice, especially regarding Creative Commons and other “open” licenses; advising on innovative uses of technology to increase citizens' access to justice; and drafting amicus briefs, motions, and training materials in the areas of child pornography and youth online safety.


Representative Cyberlaw Clinic Projects

Examples of Clinic projects from recent years include:

• drafted amicus briefs on behalf of coalitions of media organizations in cases involving online speech, access to government records, the intersection between intellectual property law and First Amendment protections, and state Anti-SLAPP statutes;
• collaborated with the Harvard Innovation Lab on a legal workshop regarding intellectual property and legal liability and on efforts to promote alternative business and licensing models to entrepreneurs;
• represented innovative cameras-in-the-courtroom project in opposition to efforts to restrain reporting on public proceedings;
• work with a Massachusetts judge directing a statewide initiative to increase public access to justice and the courts, particularly by unrepresented, indigent or underprivileged citizens, focusing on use of technology to increase access to justice;
• advised research and advocacy organization on open source licensing options for software tool;
• responded to cease-and-desist letters on behalf of individuals and organizations accused of defamation online;
• counseled non-profit online startup that promotes responsible consumer behavior about liability and immunity under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act;
• drafted motion to quash subpoena seeking the identity of an anonymous blogger;
• assisted with preparation of Internet Safety Technical Task Force report, advising state attorneys general nationwide about online child safety and child exploitation;
• drafted website terms of use, privacy policy, and content licenses for music website; and
• conducted research and prepared legal briefs for local, state, and federal prosecutors on issues concerning child protection and digital evidence.
  

Enrollment Criteria and Related Courses

Fall and spring term students may opt to enroll for two, three, or four credits and must work an average of five hours per week per credit for which they are enrolled.  Winter term students receive two credits for 120 hours of clinical work during the term in January.  The Clinic strongly encourages students to enroll for three credits during the fall and spring to ensure the fullest experience, but two credits are acceptable if that is all a student’s schedule will allow.

Students must have previously completed or concurrently take at least one of the following classes in order to enroll in the Clinic:  Controlling Cyberspace; Copyright; Cybercrime; Cyberlaw and Intellectual Property: Advanced Problem Solving Workshop; Ideas for a Better Internet; Intellectual Property in the Digital Environment; Music and Digital Media; or Practical Lawyering in Cyberspace.  Students must enroll in the class separately from the clinic enrollment.

More Information About the Cyberlaw Clinic

If you would like more information about the Cyberlaw Clinic, please contact Clinical Professor Phil Malone (pmalone@cyber.law.harvard.edu), Clinical Instructor Christopher Bavitz (cbavitz@cyber.law.harvard.edu), or Clinical Instructional Fellow Christopher Walsh (cwalsh@cyber.law.harvard.edu).