International Copyright Law

ECTS Credits

10 ECTS Credits

Level of Study

Master

Full-time/Part-time

Full time

Teaching semester

Spring. (Exam only in semesters with teaching)

Combines successfully with Introduction to Copyright Law (JUS277-2-A)

Place of Instruction

Bergen Law Faculty

Objectives and Content

Works of authorship, such as books, music, films and computer software, travel easily across national borders, giving copyright law an international dimension almost by definition. Indeed the oldest international copyright conventions already date back from the 19th century. The ongoing globalization of information markets and the advent of the Internet have accelerated this process of internationalization. Increasingly, national copyright norms are being established at the international level, either in the form of multilateral treaties or bilateral instruments.

This course on International Copyright Law explores past and recent developments in international copyright law. Following a comparison of national legal systems, the focus will shift to the main treaties providing international copyright protection: Berne Convention, TRIPs Agreement, WIPO `Internet treaties¿ and bilateral treaties. Other subjects covered include international enforcement of copyright; dealing with the rampant problem of mass online copyright infringement, and current developments in international and European copyright law.

Among other topics, the course explores:

• comparison between the US and European copyright laws,
• core provisions of the Berne Convention and the WIPO Copyright Treaty,
• TRIPS Agreement and bilateral agreements,
• international enforcement of copyright,
• contemporary issues of international copyright.

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 Mitt UiB.

Learning Outcomes

After successful completion of this course students will:

• be able to detect problems of copyright law in the international context;
• have a good working knowledge of the body of international treaties in the area of copyright law;
• be able to apply rules from different levels to the same set of facts;

be able to write argumentative texts in the area of international copyright law.

Required Previous Knowledge

Good English

Three years of university studies

Students should have taken one of the following classes: JUS277-2-A Introduction to Copyright Law, JUS277-2-C EU Copyright Law or similar introductory course in copyright or intellectual property law at a foreign university.

Recommended Previous Knowledge

Three years of Law studies.

Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap

No academic overlapping with courses at the Law faculty in Bergen.

Access to the Course

The course is available for the following students:

• Admitted to the integrated master programme in law
• Admitted to the two-year master programme in law
• Granted admission to elective courses at the Faculty of Law
• Granted additional right to study following completed master degree in law at UiB
• Exchange students at the Faculty of Law

The pre-requirements may still limit certain students' access to the course

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures.

Compulsory Assignments and Attendance

Students are required to submit a paper between 1800 and 2000 words (not including footnotes or appendices) on a designated topic. The paper must be approved by the lecturer. Only students who have had their paper approved, will obtain the right to sit the exam.

Forms of Assessment

Exam only in semesters with teaching.

Three hour digital school exam.

Information about digital examination can be found here:

http://www.uib.no/en/education/87471/digital-examination.

Exam language:

• Question paper: English
• Answer paper: English

Examination Support Material

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.

Grading Scale

A - E for passed, F for failed.

Course Evaluation

According to administrative arrangements for evaluating courses at the Law Faculty.

Course Coordinator

Professor P. Bernt Hugenholtz.