Media Law

Knowledge of media law is crucial for creative and design professionals. This course explores a comprehensive range of topics and models, such as privacy and art, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, Open Source public license, Creative Commons, Digital Rights Management, as well as working definitions of Fair Use and the practical limits of sampling/mixing in different idioms and economic sectors.

Week 1

Introduction to Media Law

• Explain the basic legal functions of the three branches of the US government.

• Differentiate between the courts that comprise the US judiciary system.

• Describe the components of a legal case and predict future outcomes.

Week 2

Copyright Law

• Identify the components of US copyright law.

• Explain the legal justifications behind the outcomes of precedent setting copyright cases.

Week 3

Copyright & Art

• Evaluate the legal ramifications of past controversial media works in copyright.

• Synthesize aspects of copyright law within the creation of new work.

Week 4

DMCA

• Describe the components of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).

• Explain the legal justifications behind the outcomes of precedent setting DMCA cases.

Week 5

Music

• Evaluate the legal ramifications of past controversial musical works.

• Predict the outcomes of future legal challenges in music

Week 6

First Amendment

• Describe the components of the First Amendment.

• Explain the legal justifications behind the outcomes of precedent setting First Amendment cases.

Week 7

First Amendment & Art

• Evaluate the legal ramifications of past controversial First Amendment works.

• Predict the outcomes of future legal challenges in music.

Week 8

Patents

• Describe the components of US Patent law.

• Explain the legal justifications behind the outcomes of precedent setting Patent Law cases.

Week 9

Comedy, Choreography, & Creative Commons

• Evaluate the legal ramifications of past controversial works in comedy and choreography.

• Predict the outcomes of future legal challenges in comedy and choreography.

• Explain the function of creative commons licensing and use it in your work.

Week 10

Privacy Law

• Describe the components of US privacy law.

• Explain the legal justifications behind the outcomes of precedent-setting privacy law cases

Week 11

Privacy & Art

• Evaluate the legal ramifications of past controversial privacy works.

• Predict the outcomes of future legal challenges in privacy works.

Week 12

Trademark Law

• Describe the components of US trademark law.

• Explain the legal justifications behind the outcomes of precedent-setting trademark law cases.

Week 13

Trademarks & Art

• Evaluate the legal ramifications of past controversial media works in trademark.

• Synthesize aspects of trademark law within the creation of new work.

Week 14

Contracts

• Describe the components of US contract law.

• Identify crucial elements of contract law in future contract negotiations.