This course is the first part of the two-semester course focusing on copyright law.

This first part (DAI1CL01 Copyright Law I) deals with more general issues (i.e. philosophical underpinnings, justifications issues, regulatory framework overview and enforcement), whereas the second part (DAI2CL02 Copyright Law II) deals with more specific issues such as the respective protected subject matter (i.e. computer programmes, databases), the rights granted (reproduction right, communication to the public right) and limits thereof (exceptions and limitations).

The learning aim of this first part is to deepen the understanding of the fundamentals of copyright law.

Consequently, at the end of the course the students you should be able to:

• understand and explain the philosophical foundations of copyright law
• independently resolve highly complex legislative and interpretive issues pertaining to the interaction of international and European regulatory frameworks
• understand, choose and apply the available enforcement measures relating to copyright law and related rights

In order to pass this course you need to fulfil these two conditions:

1. Jour Fixe reading session
2. Topical Presentation

1. Jour Fixe

Attendance (virtual) at the Jour Fixe (dates given below in the "Content and Reading Materials" part of this Syllabus)

At the Jour Fixe the assigned reading will be discussed. Every student is required to read the essential reading for the Jour Fix. Your task is to answer the following questions:

• What was the reading about?
• What are the three main take-away ideas?
• What could be criticized?
• How is this reading applicable to your dissertation, i.e. what could you make use of?

2. Topical Presentation

During the exam period on 22. 1. 13.00 a presentation session will be held where the student has to present a topical presentation of a research and analysis of a particular chosen topic.

These topics include:

• Protected Subject-Matter in International and European Copyright Law - Mgr. Marián Jankovič, LL.M.
• Territoriality - Mgr. Radek Matušek, LL.M.
• Role and Liability of the ISPs in Copyright Enforcement - Mgr. Ondřej Woznica
• Human Rights and Copyright in the EU
• EU Competence in Copyright Law Making

The presentation shall include:

1. General overview of the topic
2. Overview of literature
3. Overview of case law
4. Critical Assessment thereof
5. Plan on how the acquired knowledge will be implemented into the student's dissertation thesis

The main contact person is the guarantor of the course Matěj Myška - please please check my personal page in IS on means and times how and when to contact me.

Due to the global pandemic the main form of contact should be however virtual. I am generally open for any discussion of the related issues and consultations if these are scheduled moderately beforehand. I will be also online during my regular office hours as stated above (please note that these might change due to my commitments - please check my personal page in IS on updates) .

Also the Jour Fixe is an opportunity to stay in touch.

General reading

As a general introduction to the topic of IP law (i.e. not only the Copyright Law) this short, but concise study is recommended: FRANKEL, Susy a Daniel J. GERVAIS. Advanced Introduction to International Intellectual Property. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing, 2016. vii, 136 p. ISBN 9781783473427. There is one hard copy of this book available for the students in the Library, however unluckily no online version is available. Given the clarity of the text and its importance also for other subjects taught within this programme it is recommended for the student acquire a copy of this book (available also online as an e-book).

A good introduction to the International Copyright Law system is provided by: FICSOR, M. Guide to the Copyright and Related Rights Treaties Administered by WIPO and Glossary of Copyright and Related Rights Terms [online]. Geneva: World Intellectual Property Organization, 2003, p. 7–20. ISBN 978-92-805-1200-7. Available online: http://www.wipo.int/edocs/pubdocs/en/copyright/891/wipo_pub_891.pdf

A general overview of the topics discussed is also covered in the two main monographs on European IP Law, namely:

• PILA, Justine a Paul TORREMANS. European intellectual property law. 2nd edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2019. ISBN 978-0-19-883128-0.
• KUR, A.; DREIER, T.; LUGINBÜHL, S. European intellectual property law: text, cases and materials. Second edition. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar Publishing, 2019. ISBN 978-1-78536-154-8 (available also as e-book for purchase - highly recommended)

EU Copyright Law : A Commentary. Edited by Irini A. Stamatoudi - Paul Torremans. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar, 2014. 1227 p. ISBN 9781781952429. (available also as e-book for purchase - highly recommended)

Theoretical Foundations

(to be discussed at First Jour Fixe - 23. 10. - 13,00 at MS Teams)

• Copyright Justifications
  • Essential reading:
    • MENELL, P. Intellectual Property: General Theories. In: GEEST, G. de; BOUCKAERT, B. (eds.) . Encyclopedia of Law and Economics, Volume II. Civil Law and Economics [online]. Cheltenham, UK; Northampton, MA, USA: Edward Elgar Publishing, 2000, s. 129–188. ISBN 1-85898-985-X. Available from:: http://encyclo.findlaw.com/1600book.pdf.
  • Further recommended reading:
    • FISHER, W. Theories of Intellectual Property. In: MUNZER, S.R. (ed.) . New Essays in the Legal and Political Theory of Property. Cambridge, MA, USA: Cambridge University Press, 2001, s. 168–199. ISBN 978-0-521-64001-5. 
• Human Rights Foundations
  • Essential reading:
    • TORREMANS, P.L.C. Is Copyright a Human Right? Michigan State Law Review [online]. 2007, vol. 2007, no. 1, p. 271–292. Available from: https://heinonline.org/HOL/P?h=hein.journals/mslr2007&i=277.
  • Further recommended reading:
    • HELFER, L.R. Human Rights and Intellectual Property: Conflict or Coexistence? Minnesota Intellectual Property Review [online]. 2003, vol. 5, no. 1, p. 47–62. Available from: https://heinonline.org/HOL/P?h=hein.journals/mipr5&i=51
    • AL-SHARIEH, S. Rethinking the Hierarchies of Rights in International Copyright Law Articles & Essays. Colorado Technology Law Journal [online]. 2020, vol. 18, no. 2, p. 287–322 Available from: https://heinonline.org/HOL/P?h=hein.journals/jtelhtel18&i=313
      

International and European Regulatory Framework

(to be discussed at Second Jour Fixe - 20. 11. - 13,00 at MS Teams)

Territoriality of Copyright Law

• Essential reading:
  • POLČÁK, R. (2020) Territoriality of Copyright Law. In: Szczepanik P., Zahrádka P., Macek J., Stepan P. (eds) Digital Peripheries. Springer Series in Media Industries. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-44850-9_4
  • DREIER, T. Copyright in the times of the internet—overcoming the principle of territoriality within the EU. ERA Forum [online]. 2017, vol. 18, no. 1, p. 7–19. ISSN 1612-3093. doi:10.1007/s12027-017-0462-7
• Further recommended reading:
• TRIMBLE, M.The Multiplicity of Copyright Laws on the Internet, 25 Fordham Intell. Prop. Media & Ent. L.J. 339 (2015). Available at: https://ir.lawnet.fordham.edu/iplj/vol25/iss2/1

Interplay of International and European Copyright Law

• Essential Reading:
  • GINSBURG., J. Floors and Ceilings in International Copyright Treaties (Berne/TRIPS/WCT minima and maxima) (July 1, 2020). Columbia Public Law Research Paper No. 14-659, forthcoming in Henning Gross Ruse Kahn and Axel Metzger, eds., IP BEYOND BORDERS (2021), Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3640668
    

Harmonisation

• Essential Reading: 
  • HUGENHOLTZ, P.B. Copyright in Europe: Twenty Years Ago, Today and What the Future Holds. Fordham Intellectual Property, Media & Entertainment Law Journal [online]. 2012, vol. 23, no. 2, p. 503–524. Available from: http://heinonline.org/hol-cgi-bin/get_pdf.cgi?handle=hein.journals/frdipm23&section=17
• Further recommended reading:
  • LEISTNER, M. Europe’s Copyright Law Decade: Recent Case Law of the European Court of Justice and Policy Perspectives. Common Market Law Review [online]. 2014, vol. 51, no. 2, p. 559–600. Available from: http://www.kluwerlawonline.com/abstract.php?area=Journals&id=COLA2014037
    
  • HUGENHOLTZ, P.B. Harmonisation or Unification of European Union Copyright Law. Monash University Law Review [online]. 2012, vol. 38, no. 1, p. 4–16. ISSN 03113140. Available from: http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/MonashULawRw/2012/2.pdf

Enforcement, Applicable Law and Remedies

(to be discussed at Third Jour Fixe - 11. 12. - 13,00 at MS Teams)

Applicable Law:

• Essential Reading:

  • MATULIONYTE, R. Enforcing Copyright Infringements Online: In Search of Balanced Private International Law Rules. JIPITEC [online]. 2015, vol. 6, no. 2, p. 132–145. ISSN 2190-3387. Available from: http://www.jipitec.eu/issues/jipitec-6-2-2015/4274

Role of the Intermediaries

• Essential Reading:
  • HUSOVEC, Martin, How Europe Wants to Redefine Global Online Copyright Enforcement (April 15, 2019). In: Tatiana Eleni Synodinou (ed.), Pluralism or Universalism in International Copyright Law (Kluwer law, Forthcoming), TILEC Discussion Paper No. 2019-16, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3372230 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3372230.