2002 Cyberspace Law Class--Eric Goldman

Cyberspace Law (Law 5793)

Spring 2002

1. Sessions. The class meets Tuesday nights from 7:30 to 9:10 from January 8 to April 23, excluding February 19 (President’s Day) and March 5 (Spring Break).

2. Prerequisites. This class is a general survey class. Thus, the only prerequisites are the completion of first year courses and some experience using the Internet.

3. Curriculum Overlaps. This class has significant overlaps with both Internet Law and E-Commerce Law, and I discourage you from taking this class if you’ve taken or will take either of those classes. The class also partially overlaps Digital Law.com, Computer Law Seminar (Davis/Boustani), and Digital Property, although students rarely find such overlaps problematic.

4. High Tech Certificate. The class is approved for credit towards the High Technology Law Certificate.

5. Final Exam. The final exam will be on May 2 at 6:00 pm. The class is graded solely on the final exam. Historically, there have been 1/3 As and 10% Cs. The final exam will probably be 1½ hours long with 2 questions. The exam is very practice-oriented and will emphasize your problem-solving skills. You are strongly encouraged to review the prior years’ exams to understand the exam structure. You can find the prior years’ exams and sample answers at my website (note the law may have changed in the interim).

6. Casebook. The class reader is the only required reading (except for any materials I distribute during the semester). If you want additional reading, a number of supplementary books and treatises are available. I can guide you in selecting one of those readers if you want.

7. Papers. A paper is not required as part of the class. However, I will be happy to assist you with your papers on an informal basis. Suggested paper topics are available at http://eric_goldman.tripod.com/scucyberlawclass/issues.htm. Additional paper resources are available from my cyberspace law resources list at http://eric_goldman.tripod.com/scucyberlawclass/tablecase.htm. If you want me to act as your faculty advisor, please note the following:

· I can take no more than 3 students

· All requests must be made by January 18, 2001—NO EXCEPTIONS

· With your request, submit a schedule of deliverables. You should adhere faithfully to this schedule

· You must handle all administrative compliance and paperwork

· You must use the paper to fulfill the High Tech certificate or plan to publish the paper

8. Email List. The class has an email list for announcements and other messages. I maintain the list using the email addresses provided to me by the Records Office. If you want to change your email address, please let me know.

9. Office Hours. I don’t have regularly scheduled on-campus office hours, but I can meet with you at my offices or otherwise by appointment. I am also always available by email to answer questions; however, in particularly busy times, I may take a few days to reply.

10. Academic Freedom. The class necessarily requires us to discuss the full range of human behavior. If you have any concerns about topic coverage, you should see me ASAP.

11. Jobs. I can consult with you about your job searching efforts. I can be most helpful in the early part of the semester. If you want my help, email me your resume (in the text of the email, not as an attachment) and some proposed times you might be able to meet me at my office.

12. Contact Information.

Eric Goldman

Epinions, Inc.

8000 Marina Blvd., 5^th floor

Brisbane, CA 94005

Phone: (650) 616-6536

Fax: (650) 532-1269 x1379

eric@epinions.com

Driving directions from Santa Clara: 101N to Sierra Point Parkway. Turn right. 8000 Marina Blvd. is the 8 story building behind Hitachi. Come to the 5^th floor.

More course-related materials, including an electronic copy of this syllabus, are available at http://eric_goldman.tripod.com.

CLASS SCHEDULE AND READING LIST

1. Introduction to Cyberspace (January 8 and 15)

Topics: Internet technologies, Internet business models, the Commerce Clause and state action

ACLU v. Reno (CDA I District Ct. facts only) page 5

La Ligue Contre le Racisme et l’Antisemitisme v. Yahoo (Paris County Ct. Nov. 2000) 25

Yahoo v. La Ligue Contre le Racisme et l’Antisemitisme (US Nov. 2001) 46

State v. Heckel (Washington Supreme Ct.) 57

2. Jurisdiction and Venue (January 22)

GUEST LECTURER: Chuck Schwab

Millennium Enterprises v. Millennium Music (Jan. 1999) 67

3. Contracts (January 29)