Introduction to the United States Legal System and U.S. Copyright Law

This class will focus on the United States legal system with a focus on intellectual property law, especially copyright law. Although the problems will be discussed under United States law, they are all problems that may occur in any country, and their resolution will necessarily have to follow similar reasoning, even where different conclusions are reached. The following topics will be addressed, with variations in emphasis according to the needs and desires of the students:

  1. United States legal system
  2. Constitutional structure - federalism
  3. Courts
  4. Federal courts
  5. State courts
  6. Specialty courts
  7. Judges
  8. Lawyers and law practice
  9. Individual state bars
  10. Specializations
  11. Business/litigation
  12. Patent and intellectual property
  13. Insurance, etc.
  1. Intellectual property
  2. Federal level
  3. Constitutional authority
  4. Patent and copyright statutes
  5. Trademark
  6. State level
  7. Trade secret law
  8. Rights of publicity
  9. Trademark
  10. Contract
  1. Copyright law
  2. Overall scope
  3. Copyright subject matter - original works of authorship
  4. Distinguish from patent subject matter
  5. Functionality
  6. Scope of protection - idea/expression
  7. Copyright owner’s rights
  8. Reproduce copies of the work
  9. Prepare derivative works
  10. Distribute copies to the public
  11. Publicly perform the work
  12. Publicly display the work
  13. Moral rights
  14. In general
  15. Visual Artists Rights Act in U.S.
  16. Originality and fixation
  17. Authorship
  18. Joint authors
  19. Works made for hire
  20. Originality
  21. Sports events
  22. Facts
  23. The idea/expression dichotomy
  24. In general
  25. Traditional copyright subject matter
  26. Literary works
  27. Musical works
  28. Pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works
  29. Sound recordings
  30. Facts and factual compilations
  31. Maps
  32. Blank forms
  33. Computer programs
  34. Architectural works
  35. Duration of copyright
  36. Termination of copyright transfers
  37. Infringement
  38. Proving infringement
  39. Access
  40. Substantial similarity of protected elements
  41. Fair use
  42. Remedies
  43. Digital Millennium Copyright Act
  44. Anti-access provisions
  45. Anti-copying provisions
  46. Liability of internet service providers