Intro

Digital technologies and the Internet in particular have triggered disruptive changes in long-established modes of creating, distributing and using works, ranging from literature and music to scientific publications and computer software. International and national copyright law has adapted, at least partially, in an attempt to reflect these changes. Yet, the jury is still out on whether these changes are appropriate and there is an intense ongoing debate on the proper scope of copyright and the means of its enforcement in the digital space. On the one side, there are strong voices, especially from the entertainment industries, that claim that the digital revolution has seriously undermined copyright protection that is essential to encourage the creation and distribution of new works. On the counter side, there are those who believe that strong and ever stronger copyright protection in fact inhibits technological innovation, hampers creativity and chills freedom of expression.

It is the purpose of this workshop to clarify the stakes in this debate and thematize the challenges that stand before policy- and rule-makers in the field of digital copyright law. It will use current developments, such as the Google Books case, the Creative Commons licence, the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA), or questions on the liablity of Internet intermediaries, and discuss the law and practice at the international level and in selected national jurisdictions (US, EU and Switzerland).

Please, note that we have a limitation of 24 students. Please, enrol in due time from 19 September to 1 October 2016. The participation in the introductory lecture is mandatory; subsequent withdrawal until 14 October is possible.
The introductory lecture will take place on 6 October 2016, from 14 to 18 o'clock. The subsequent workshop is scheduled for 10 and 11 November.

I much look forward to working with you in this course.