syllabus

Reading Assignments

Class 1 (8/15): Fixation and Originality

• Casebook 47–62

• Optional Comics: Keith Aoki, James Boyle & Jennifer Jenkins, Tales from the Public Domain: BOUND BY LAW? (2008) (optional)

Class 2 (8/17): Originality (Cont’d) and the Idea/Expression Dichotomy

• Casebook 62–68; 80–100

Class 3 (8/22): Derivative Works and Compilations

• Casebook 100–17; 123–25

Class 4 (8/24): Authorship

• Casebook 131–39; 146–52

Class 5 (8/29): Authorship (Cont’d) and Useful Articles

• Casebook 160–67; 177–93

Class 6 (8/31): Computer Software

• Casebook 208–27

Note: There will be no class on 9/5 (Labor Day).

Class 7 (9/7): The Reproduction Right

• Casebook 245–47; 253–66; 272–79

Class 8 (9/12): The Derivative Work Right

• Casebook 311–24, 328–37

Class 9 (9/14): The Distribution Right

• Casebook 345–61

Class 10 (9/19): Communication to the Public by Performance or Display

• Casebook 247–51; 378–95; 398–409

Class 11 (9/21): Copyright in Musical Works and Sound Recordings

• Casebook 413–22; 424–34

Class 12 (9/26): Fictional Characters and Moral Rights

• Casebook 337–44; 455–74

Class 13 (9/28): Fair Use

• Casebook 489–512

Class 14 (10/3): Fair Use (Cont’d)

• Casebook 528–50

Class 15 (10/5): Copyright Infringement

• Casebook 575–602

Note: There will be no classes on 10/10 and 10/12 (Fall Break).

Class 16 (10/19): Device Manufacturers and Liability for Inducement

• Casebook 422–24; 550–58; 602–18

Class 17 (10/24): Formalities and Duration

• Casebook 661–91

Class 18 (10/31): Renewals and Terminations of Transfers

• Handout

• Casebook 695–709

Class 19 (11/2): Modes of Transfer

• Casebook 715–41

Class 20 (11/7): Technological Protections

• Casebook 859–82

Class 21 (11/9): Statutory Overview and Review Session

Classes 22-23 (11/11-12):  6th Annual Texas A&M Intellectual Property Scholars Roundtable

You are required to attend 2 sessions of the event at your preferred time as part of the make-up sessions.

Class 24 (11/14): Guest Speaker: Prof. Doris E. Long, University of Illinois Chicago School of Law

Syllabus (Fall 2021)

Syllabus (Fall 2020)

Syllabus (Fall 2019)

Syllabus (Fall 2018)

Syllabus (Fall 2017)

Syllabus (Fall 2016)

Syllabus (Fall 2015)