EU Copyright Law

ECTS Credits

10 ECTS

Level of Study

Master level

Teaching semester

Spring

Combines successfully with International Copyright Law (JUS277-2-B)

Place of Instruction

Faculty of Law, UiB

Objectives and Content

Copyright law protects a wide range of works against unauthorized uses, from art and literary works to software and databases. Serving multiple rationales, 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 digital age rises challenges to the system of copyright law. New ways of (re)using and engaging with protected works emerge while the effective enforcement of protection becomes more difficult.

In Europe, many aspects of the copyright system are harmonized on the EU level and ought to be interpreted uniformly across the EU/EEA. Growing jurisprudence of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) leads to further harmonization of copyright law and the evolvement of protection in response to technological development.

The objective of the course is to introduce students to the main features of the copyright system and EU copyright law. The following topics form the core of the course:

• basics of copyright protection,
• basis and rationale for EU copyright harmonization,
• EU copyright law and its instruments,
• scope of copyright protection with a focus on aspects harmonized on the EU level,
• landmark case law of the CJEU in the field of copyright,
• contemporary issues of copyright and the EU harmonization.

Learning Outcomes

Student

Knowledge

• has good knowledge of the structure and norms of copyright law, including the law of neighboring rights,
• has advanced knowledge of EU copyright law instruments,
• is familiar with the contemporary issues of copyright law.

Skills

• can apply knowledge to solve cases involving copyright law in the national and European context,
• can find, evaluate and present sources relevant to solving a concrete problem,
• can carry out independent research on issues pertaining to copyright law.

General competence

• can engage critically and reflectively with contemporary debates regarding regulation and harmonization,
• can write reasoned answers to legal and policy questions,
• can communicate the findings of independent research to the broader audience, including orally.

Required Previous Knowledge

Three years of University studies. Good English.

Recommended Previous Knowledge

Three years of Law studies.

Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap

In combination with JUS277-2-A the course JUS277-2-C will give 5 ECTS

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 and seminars.

Active participation by the students is expected and necessary. This might include pre-class readings, smaller assignments, oral presentations, etc.

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.

Examination Support Material

See section 3-5 of the Supplementary Regulations for Studies at the Faculty of Law at the University of Bergen.

• 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.

Assessment Semester

Spring

Reading List

The reading list will be ready 1 december for the spring semester.

Course Evaluation

According to guidelines for evaluation of courses at the Law Faculty

Programme Committee

The Academic Affairs Committee (Studieutvalget) at the Faculty of Law is responsible for ensuring the material content, structure, and quality of the course.

Course Coordinator

Associate Professor Liliia Oprysk.

Course Administrator

The Faculty of Law¿s section for students and academic affairs (Studieseksjonen) is responsible for administering the course.