Introduction to Copyright Law
Course offered :
- Current semester
- Next semester
Current programmes of study
Course offered by
| Number of credits | 5 |
| Course offered (semester) | Spring. |
| Subject overlap | Combined with JUS341 this course generates no new credits. |
| Schedule | Schedule |
| Reading list | Reading list |
Language of Instruction
English.
Pre-requirements
Three years of University studies. Good English.
Learning Outcomes
After successful completion of this course students will:
- have basic knowledge of and insight in the structure and norms of national and European copyright law, including the law of neighbouring rights;
- be able to detect problems and to relatively solve simple cases involving copyright law in the national and European context;
- be able to apply rules from different levels to the same set of facts.
Contact Information
Course teacher: Professor P. Bernt Hugenholtz.
Administrative contact: Higher Executive Officer Nathalie S. L. Gaulier: Nathalie.Gaulier@jurfa.uib.no
Course offered (semester)
Spring.
Combines successfully with International Copyright Law (JUS277-2-B)
Language of Instruction
English.
Aim and Content
Copyright law protects the products of human creativity (´works of authorship´) against unauthorised uses. Copyright plays an important role in fostering cultural development, and serves as an incentive for authors and the creative industries (film, music, publishing, software, games, etc.). The emerging information age poses great challenges to the system of copyright law. As the economic value of creative content increases, the possibilities of effectively enforcing copyright protection have diminished. This Introduction to Copyright Law introduces students without a background in the law of intellectual property to the main features of the copyright system. While the course will not focus on a single national law, the harmonised rules of European copyright law will serve as points of reference.
Schedule of Classes
The course will be taught in 4 classes of 2 hours each (total 8) hours, in the beginning of the second semester, following this schedule:
Class # 1. Copyright basics
- Copyright in a nutshell
- Literary and artistic works
- Authorship and ownership
Class # 2. Copyright basics (continued)
- Economic rights
- Moral rights
- Exceptions and limitations
- Neighbouring rights
Class # 3. Purpose of copyright
- History of copyright
- Rationales of copyright
- Copyright v. author´s right
Class # 4. Harmonization of copyright in the EU
- European legal framework
- Overview of harmonization directives
- EU Software Directive, Database Directive, InfoSoc Directive
Class Participation and Preparation
All students are expected to prepare in advance for class and to participate in class discussions. Homework assignments are posted on the course page on UiB Mi side (My space).
Learning Outcomes
After successful completion of this course students will:
- have basic knowledge of and insight in the structure and norms of national and European copyright law, including the law of neighbouring rights;
- be able to detect problems and to relatively solve simple cases involving copyright law in the national and European context;
- be able to apply rules from different levels to the same set of facts.
Pre-requirements
Three years of University studies. Good English.
Recommended previous knowledge
Three years of Law studies.
Subject Overlap
Combined with JUS341 this course generates no new credits.
Teaching Methods
Lectures.
Compulsory Requirements
None
Assessment methods
Exam only in semesters with teaching.
Three hours school exam. A - E for passed, F for failed.
Exam language:
- Question paper: English
- Answer paper: English
Support materials allowed during school exam:
See section 3-5 of the Supplementary Regulations for Studies at the Faculty of Law at the University of Bergen.
Special regulations about dictionaries:
- According to the Regulations for Studies, one dictionary is permitted support material during the examination. Bilingual dictionaries containing for example both Norwegian-English and English-Norwegian are considered as one dictionary.
- Bilingual dictionaries to/from the same two languages - for example Norwegian-English/English-Norwegian - in two different volumes are also considered as one dictionary (irrespective of publisher or edition).
- Dictionaries as described above cannot be combined with any other types of dictionaries.
- Any kind of combination which makes up more than two physical volumes is forbidden.
- In case a student has a special need for any other combination than the above mentioned, such combination has to be clarified with/approved by the course coordinator minimum two weeks before the exam. Students who have not been granted permission to have a special combination minimum two weeks before the exam will be subject to the usual regulations (Section 3-5) about examination support materials.
Course Unit Evaluation
According to guidelines for evaluation of courses at the Law Faculty
Contact Information
Course teacher: Professor P. Bernt Hugenholtz.
Administrative contact: Higher Executive Officer Nathalie S. L. Gaulier: Nathalie.Gaulier@jurfa.uib.no