syllabus

Reading Assignments

Class 1 (8/14): 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 (8/16): Originality (Cont’d) and the Idea/Expression Dichotomy

• Casebook 62–68; 80–100

Class 3 (8/21): Derivative Works and Compilations

• Casebook 100–17; 123–25

Class 4 (8/23): Authorship

• Casebook 131–39; 146–52

Class 5 (8/28): Authorship (Cont’d) and Useful Articles

• Casebook 160–67; 177–93

Class 6 (8/30): Computer Software

• Casebook 208–27

Note: There will be no class on 9/4 (Labor Day).

Class 7 (9/6): The Reproduction Right

• Casebook 245–47; 253–66; 272–79

Class 8 (9/11): The Derivative Work Right

• Casebook 311–24, 328–37

Class 9 (9/13): The Distribution Right

• Casebook 345–61

Class 10 (9/18): Communication to the Public by Performance or Display

• Casebook 247–51; 378–95; 398–409

Class 11 (9/20): Copyright in Musical Works and Sound Recordings

• Casebook 413–22; 424–33

Class 12 (9/25): Fictional Characters and Moral Rights

• Casebook 337–44; 455–74

Class 13 (9/27): Fair Use

• Casebook 489–512

Class 14 (10/2): Fair Use (Cont’d)

• Casebook 528–50

Class 15 (10/4): Copyright Infringement

• Casebook 575–602

Class 16 (10/6): Texas A&M Journal of Property Law Symposium

You are required to attend 1 session of the event at your preferred time as part of the make-up session.

Note: There will be no classes on 10/9 and 10/11 (Fall Break).

Class 17 (10/16): Device Manufacturers and Liability for Inducement

• Casebook 422–24; 550–58; 602–17

Class 18 (10/18): Formalities and Duration

• Casebook 661–91

Note: There will be no classes on 10/23 and 10/25 (Classes Moved to 10/6 and 11/2).

Class 19 (10/30): Renewals and Terminations of Transfers

• Handout

• Casebook 695–709

Class 20 (11/1): Modes of Transfer

• Casebook 715–41

Class 21 (11/2 at noon in Room 104): "Fair Use in the Supreme Court: Reflections on Google and Warhol"

Guest Speaker: Prof. Marshall Leaffer, Indiana University Maurer School of Law

Class 22 (11/3-4):  7th Annual Texas A&M Intellectual Property Scholars Roundtable

You are required to attend 1 session of the event at your preferred time as part of the make-up session.

Class 23 (11/6): "Copyright and Technology: Lessons from the Software Wars"

Guest Speaker: Prof. Doris E. Long, University of Illinois Chicago School of Law

Class 24 (11/8): Statutory Overview and Review Session

Note: There will be no class on 11/13 (Class Moved to 11/3).

Syllabus (Fall 2022)

Syllabus (Fall 2021)

Syllabus (Fall 2020)

Syllabus (Fall 2019)

Syllabus (Fall 2018)

Syllabus (Fall 2017)

Syllabus (Fall 2016)

Syllabus (Fall 2015)