Fall term, 2007
M,T 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Visiting Professor Pamela Samuelson
3 classroom credits LAW-33800A Fall
2, 3, or 4 optional clinical credits LAW-33800C Fall
The principal features of U.S. copyright law include: what is (and is not) copyrightable subject matter, the originality and fixation requirements for copyright protection, ownership and transfer of rights issues, the scope of protection that copyright law affords to works of authorship, limiting principles, exceptions, and defenses to infringement, standards for judging direct and indirect infringement, and remedies available in copyright lawsuits. Both statutory and common law developments will be considered, as well as neighboring rights such as anti-circumvention rules. Current controversies about the contours of and theoretical underpinnings of copyright and the public domain will be discussed. Comparative copyright law and international treaties affecting copyright law will also be given some attention.
Students who wish to enroll in the class with a clinical component must do so through clinical registration. Please refer to the Office of Clinical and Pro Bono Programs website at http://www.law.harvard.edu/academics/clinical for clinical course registration dates, drop/add deadlines, and other clinical registration information.