Introduction
Please note that this is a preliminary course description. The final version will be published in June 2027.
This course introduces students to a various set of legal norms which regulate today’s digital world.
One of the areas of law which saw a change due to widespread adoption of technology is contract law. The course will explore the core requirements for entering into digital contracts, as well as different ways in which advancements in technology can be used, exploring smart contracts powered by AI for automatic negotiation and enforcement. The course will also introduce students to core European instruments regulating sales of digital goods and services, preparing them to work with the sale of digital assets. This will also be supplanted by the overview of the rules on fair marketing of products online, which remain highly relevant in the digital world, particularly in the context of AI and algorithmic pricing.
With the growth of online businesses and platforms, questions of consumer protection are becoming more pressing by the day. The course will strive to give students a good overview of European regulation in the area.
One of the core modules of the course will explore the relevance and application of intellectual property rights in the digital world. By introducing students to international and EU regulation of intellectual property, the course will enable students to gain the understanding of the importance of this field for the market actors. The primary focus will be on copyright law, where students will be introduced to core rights that copyright holders have. We will explore AI-generated content and copyright ownership challenges. Following this, students will be introduced to the specific ways in which copyright law regulates protection of computer programs and databases, including how these rules affect students. This will allow students to provide legal advice to a wide range of companies working with digital assets, AI training, or even making a straightforward online store.
Protection of personal data – and privacy in general – remains a core topic when designing digital products and services. Students will be introduced to core regulations pertaining to this field, with a large focus on General Data Protection Regulation. We will explore a wide range of topic, from use of data for employee monitoring and self-development, to machine learning models and personal data processing challenges.
Lastly, the course will introduce students to topics pertaining to regulation of online platforms. It will introduce students to some of the core rules on net neutrality and cross-border portability of digital content. It will also explore the system of intermediary liability, outlining the cases in which digital platforms can be held liable for user’s illegal conduct.
The course will have a heavy emphasis on challenges posed by new technologies, such as machine learning and AI. Practical implications will be considered by students, in the light of existing and proposed regulations. The course will have a heavy emphasis on case studies and other forms of practical work.