74769 - Internet and Social Media Law

Learning outcomes

After this course, the student knows the legal issues related to the economic activities on the Internet and the related implications from a private law perspective. The student acquires basic knowledge in relation to contract law and civil liability.

Course contents

▪ The applicable law on Internet

▪ The applicable law to electronic legal acts. Jurisdiction matters

▪ Electronic commerce. The contract as main instrument of innovation and legal regulation on the Internet

▪ Contracts for network access

▪ E-commerce contracts (B2B and B2C)

▪ Information and technology contracts (regarding such issues as software development, software licensing, etc.)

▪ New contracts

▪ Consumer protection in electronic commerce

▪ Digital and electronic signatures. Electronic evidence

▪ The protection of fundamental rights on the Internet

▪ The processing of personal data: privacy, anonymity and information needs

▪ Fundamental rights’ violation by electronic means and torts

▪ The protection of electronic assets between copyright, patent and sui generis right. The protection of domain names

▪ The civil liability of the provider

▪ Electronic transferable records. Payment means. Electronic money

▪ Artificial intelligence and law

▪ Smart contracts

Readings/Bibliography

G. Finocchiaro, "Manuale di diritto di internet", 3a ed., Zanichelli, 2020

Teaching methods

▪ Traditional classes
▪ Case study

 

In parallel to the lessons, one or more practices will take place face to face or online, lasting about 2 hours, consisting in the concise illustration of a topic by the teacher and in the delivering to the students of an open-ended question, in the drafting by students of a written text following the instructions set out above (within the time limits and according to the extension indicated by the teacher), finally in the self-correction by the students following a description by the teacher of the optimal methods and contents of the written answer, leaving the students time for questions and request for verification of any errors.

Assessment methods

ORAL EXAM

 
The aim of the exam is to verify knowledge of the most important private law issues, including the capacity to make the necessary logical-deductive connections.
The final grade will be calculated according to the following general criteria: Basic preparation on the basic topics in the program, analytical skills only exhibited when prompted by the teacher; generally proper language, but without using technical terms: 18-20; Preparation on the whole program, with autonomous but limited analytical skills, proper language, including the most important technicalities: 21-24;

Preparation on the whole program, with autonomous analytical skills, proper knowledge of the specific terminology: 25-29;

Preparation on the whole program, with independent and in-depth analytical skills, full mastery of the specific terminology and capacity to put forward proper arguments: 30-30L.

Erasmus students must study the program above.

Prerequisites

Students are allowed to take the exam only after having taken Private Law and Constitutional Law examination.

 

Teaching tools

Students with disabilities, including learning disabilities, who need compensatory tools may communicate their needs to the Lecturer and be addressed to a referee, with whom they can agree the adoption of the most suitable arrangements.

Office hours

See the website of Giusella Dolores Finocchiaro

See the website of Alberto Avitabile