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R. Polk Wagner

In this course, Part 2 of a two-part series, students will explore the modern realities and debates of copyright and trademark laws, and then consider alternatives to intellectual property and the future of this exciting area of the law.

The focus of this two-part series is on learning some of the seminal legal cases in each area, while also considering the policy implications of the law as it stands.

No previous law experience is required. Join us as we explore the IP laws and policies that influence and shape our modern lives.

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In this course, Part 2 of a two-part series, students will explore the modern realities and debates of copyright and trademark laws, and then consider alternatives to intellectual property and the future of this exciting area of the law.

The focus of this two-part series is on learning some of the seminal legal cases in each area, while also considering the policy implications of the law as it stands.

No previous law experience is required. Join us as we explore the IP laws and policies that influence and shape our modern lives.

What you'll learn

  • An overview of and the theories underlying copyright and trademark laws
  • How each of these laws work in practice
  • The policy implications and alternatives to copyright and trademark laws (as well as IP law more generally)

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • An overview of and the theories underlying copyright and trademark laws
  • How each of these laws work in practice
  • The policy implications and alternatives to copyright and trademark laws (as well as ip law more generally)

Syllabus

Week 1: A User’s Guide to Copyright Subject matter and limits on copyrightability; the standards for copyright, the idea-expression and functionality limitations.
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Week 2: The Scope of Copyright How Copyright infringement works — both direct and indirect infringement.
Week 3: Limits on Copyright Law The fair use doctrine and other limits on the rights of copyright owners.
Week 4: User’s Guide to Trademarks An introduction to trademarks, trademark subject matter, and the functionality limitation.
Week 5: The Scope of Trademarks Trademark infringement and dilution.
Week 6: Limits on Trademarks and Policy Trademark fair use and how trademark works in cyberspace.
Week 7: IP Reform Future possibilities for reform and and alternative systems.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Investigates the implications of copyright and trademark laws from a policy standpoint
Suitable for learners who prefer a serialized approach
Appropriate for beginners as it requires no background in law
Part of a two-part series on modern copyright and trademark laws
Studies copyright and trademark laws with a focus on policy implications and alternatives
Led by R. Polk Wagner, an experienced instructor in the field

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Reviews summary

Promising introduction to intellectual property law

According to one student, this course provides a strong foundation in the fundamentals of intellectual property law and policy. The course is well-organized and the material is presented clearly.

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Intellectual Property Law and Policy: Part 2 with these activities:
Follow Tutorials on Copyright and Trademark Law
Following tutorials can help you to learn the basics of copyright and trademark law and to understand how these laws are applied in practice.
Browse courses on Copyright Law
Show steps
  • Find a series of tutorials on copyright and trademark law.
  • Go through the tutorials and take notes on the key concepts.
  • Complete any exercises or assignments that are included in the tutorials.
Read and Review Nimmer on Copyright
Nimmer on Copyright is a classic treatise on copyright law and is considered one of the leading authorities on the subject.
View Nimmer on copyright on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read through the relevant sections of Nimmer on Copyright.
  • Take notes on the key concepts and principles discussed in the book.
  • Write a summary of your understanding of the material.
Copyright and Trademark Quiz
Test and reinforce your understanding of copyright and trademark laws through interactive quizzes.
Browse courses on Copyright Law
Show steps
  • Access online quizzes or create your own using platforms like Quizlet or Kahoot.
  • Practice answering questions related to copyright and trademark laws.
  • Review your results and identify areas where you need further study.
Ten other activities
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Review Intellectual Property Law: Cases and Materials
Reinforce your understanding of copyright and trademark laws by reviewing this comprehensive casebook.
Show steps
  • Read and summarize key chapters.
  • Identify and analyze the main legal principles.
  • Compare and contrast different court decisions.
Complete Copyright Practice Problems
Working through practice problems can help you develop a deeper understanding of copyright law and how it is applied in real-world scenarios.
Browse courses on Copyright Infringement
Show steps
  • Find a set of practice problems on copyright law.
  • Go through each problem and identify the key legal issues involved.
  • Apply the relevant copyright principles to analyze the problems and reach a conclusion.
Write a blog post about a specific copyright or trademark case
This activity will help you deepen your understanding of the legal principles and practical applications of copyright and trademark laws.
Browse courses on Copyright Law
Show steps
  • Choose a specific copyright or trademark case that you find interesting.
  • Research the case thoroughly, including its legal history, key arguments, and outcome.
  • Write a blog post that summarizes the case, analyzes its legal significance, and discusses its implications for the future of intellectual property law.
Trademark Law Tutorial Series
Deepen your knowledge of trademark law by following structured tutorials.
Browse courses on Trademark Law
Show steps
  • Identify reputable online platforms or educators offering trademark law tutorials.
  • Follow the tutorials, taking notes and completing any exercises provided.
  • Engage in discussions or forums related to the tutorials to clarify any doubts.
Create a Trademark Infringement Case Study
By creating a case study, you can gain a better understanding of the factors that courts consider when determining whether trademark infringement has occurred.
Browse courses on Trademark Infringement
Show steps
  • Choose a real-world case of trademark infringement.
  • Research the case and gather all relevant information.
  • Analyze the case using the relevant trademark law principles.
  • Write a report summarizing your analysis and conclusions.
Design a Copyright Policy
Enhance your understanding of copyright law by developing a comprehensive copyright policy.
Browse courses on Copyright Law
Show steps
  • Research and identify relevant copyright laws and regulations.
  • Analyze and determine the specific needs of your organization or project.
  • Draft a comprehensive copyright policy document.
  • Review and finalize the policy, ensuring compliance with legal requirements.
Participate in a Moot Court Competition
Moot court competitions provide an excellent opportunity to apply your knowledge of copyright and trademark law in a practical setting.
Browse courses on Copyright Law
Show steps
  • Find a moot court competition that focuses on copyright or trademark law.
  • Form a team and prepare your arguments.
  • Compete in the competition and present your case to a panel of judges.
Trademark Infringement Analysis
Solidify your grasp of trademark infringement by conducting a thorough analysis.
Browse courses on Trademark Law
Show steps
  • Select a specific case of alleged trademark infringement.
  • Research and gather relevant legal precedents and case law.
  • Analyze the facts and legal arguments presented in the case.
  • Write a report outlining your findings and conclusions.
Develop a Proposal for an IP Reform
Developing a reform proposal will help you think critically about the current state of copyright and trademark law and to propose changes that you believe would improve the system.
Show steps
  • Research the current state of copyright and trademark law.
  • Identify areas where you believe the law could be improved.
  • Develop a proposal for reform that addresses these areas.
  • Write a report summarizing your proposal and its potential benefits.
Intellectual Property Law Presentation
Demonstrate your understanding of the key concepts of intellectual property law by creating a presentation.
Browse courses on Intellectual Property Law
Show steps
  • Choose a specific topic within intellectual property law, such as copyright, trademark, or patent law.
  • Research and gather relevant information from legal sources and scholarly articles.
  • Develop a clear and concise presentation outline.
  • Create visually appealing slides using appropriate software.
  • Practice delivering your presentation effectively.

Career center

Learners who complete Intellectual Property Law and Policy: Part 2 will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Copyright Lawyer
A Copyright Lawyer helps clients protect their creative works, such as books, music, and artwork, from unauthorized use. This course would be highly beneficial for aspiring Copyright Lawyers, as it provides an in-depth overview of copyright law, including the theories underlying copyright law, the scope of copyright protection, and the limits on copyright law. Additionally, this course covers the policy implications and alternatives to copyright law, which can help Copyright Lawyers better advocate for their clients.
Trademark Lawyer
A Trademark Lawyer helps clients protect their brands and logos from unauthorized use. This course would be highly beneficial for aspiring Trademark Lawyers, as it provides an in-depth overview of trademark law, including the theories underlying trademark law, the scope of trademark protection, and the limits on trademark law. Additionally, this course covers the policy implications and alternatives to trademark law, which can help Trademark Lawyers better advocate for their clients.
Intellectual Property Manager
An Intellectual Property Manager is responsible for managing a company's intellectual property portfolio, which includes patents, trademarks, and copyrights. This course would be highly beneficial for aspiring Intellectual Property Managers, as it provides an in-depth overview of copyright and trademark laws, as well as the policy implications and alternatives to these laws. This knowledge would help Intellectual Property Managers make informed decisions about how to protect and manage their company's intellectual property.
Professor
A Professor teaches and conducts research at a college or university. This course would be highly beneficial for aspiring Professors in the field of intellectual property law, as it provides an in-depth overview of copyright and trademark laws, as well as the policy implications and alternatives to these laws. This knowledge would help Professors develop and teach courses on intellectual property law, and conduct research in this field.
Media Lawyer
A Media Lawyer helps clients in the media industry, such as newspapers, magazines, and television networks, navigate legal issues related to freedom of speech, defamation, and intellectual property. This course may be useful for aspiring Media Lawyers, as it provides an overview of the theories underlying copyright and trademark laws, which are essential for protecting intellectual property in the media industry. Additionally, this course covers the policy implications and alternatives to copyright and trademark laws, which can help Media Lawyers better understand the legal landscape in which they operate.
Judge
A Judge presides over court cases and makes decisions based on the law. This course may be useful for aspiring Judges, as it provides an overview of the theories underlying copyright and trademark laws, as well as the policy implications and alternatives to these laws. This knowledge would help Judges better understand the legal landscape in which they operate and make informed decisions in cases involving intellectual property.
Journalist
A Journalist researches and writes news stories for newspapers, magazines, and websites. This course may be useful for aspiring Journalists, as it provides an overview of the theories underlying copyright and trademark laws, which are important for understanding how to protect and use intellectual property in the media industry. Additionally, this course covers the policy implications and alternatives to copyright and trademark laws, which can help Journalists better understand the legal landscape in which they operate.
Policy Analyst
A Policy Analyst researches and analyzes public policy issues, and makes recommendations for policy changes. This course may be useful for aspiring Policy Analysts, as it provides an overview of the policy implications and alternatives to copyright and trademark laws. This knowledge would help Policy Analysts better understand the legal landscape in which they operate and make informed recommendations for policy changes.
Legislator
A Legislator writes and votes on laws that govern a particular jurisdiction. This course may be useful for aspiring Legislators, as it provides an overview of the policy implications and alternatives to copyright and trademark laws. This knowledge would help Legislators better understand the legal landscape in which they operate and make informed decisions about how to write and vote on laws.
Entertainment Lawyer
An Entertainment Lawyer helps clients in the entertainment industry, such as actors, musicians, and writers, negotiate contracts and protect their intellectual property. This course may be useful for aspiring Entertainment Lawyers, as it provides an overview of the theories underlying copyright and trademark laws, which are essential for protecting intellectual property in the entertainment industry. Additionally, this course covers the policy implications and alternatives to copyright and trademark laws, which can help Entertainment Lawyers better understand the legal landscape in which they operate.
Librarian
A Librarian helps people find and access information. This course may be useful for aspiring Librarians, as it provides an overview of the theories underlying copyright and trademark laws, which are important for understanding how to protect and manage intellectual property. Additionally, this course covers the policy implications and alternatives to copyright and trademark laws, which can help Librarians better understand the legal landscape in which they operate.
Museum curator
A Museum Curator oversees the collection and display of artifacts in a museum. This course may be useful for aspiring Museum Curators, as it provides an overview of the theories underlying copyright and trademark laws, which are important for understanding how to protect and manage intellectual property in a museum setting. Additionally, this course covers the policy implications and alternatives to copyright and trademark laws, which can help Museum Curators better understand the legal landscape in which they operate.
Patent Attorney
A Patent Attorney helps clients file for and maintain patents, which are legal documents that give inventors exclusive rights to their inventions for a period of time. This course may be useful for aspiring Patent Attorneys, as it provides an overview of the theories underlying copyright and trademark laws, which are closely related to patent law. Additionally, this course covers the policy implications and alternatives to copyright and trademark laws, which can help Patent Attorneys better understand the legal landscape in which they operate.
Archivist
An Archivist collects, preserves, and makes available historical records. This course may be useful for aspiring Archivists, as it provides an overview of the theories underlying copyright and trademark laws, which are important for understanding how to protect and manage intellectual property. Additionally, this course covers the policy implications and alternatives to copyright and trademark laws, which can help Archivists better understand the legal landscape in which they operate.
Business Analyst
A Business Analyst helps organizations improve their performance by analyzing their business processes and recommending changes. This course may be useful for aspiring Business Analysts, as it provides an overview of the theories underlying copyright and trademark laws, which are important for understanding how businesses protect their intellectual property. Additionally, this course covers the policy implications and alternatives to copyright and trademark laws, which can help Business Analysts better understand the legal landscape in which businesses operate.

Reading list

We've selected 22 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Intellectual Property Law and Policy: Part 2.
Provides a comprehensive overview of intellectual property law and policy, covering the basics of copyright, trademark, and patent law.
Provides a comprehensive overview of copyright law, including the basics of copyright protection, infringement, and remedies. It valuable resource for students and practitioners alike.
This casebook provides a comprehensive overview of copyright law. It covers the history of copyright law, the different types of works that are protected by copyright, the rights of copyright holders, and the limitations on those rights.
This casebook provides a comprehensive overview of intellectual property law. It covers the different types of intellectual property, the rights of intellectual property owners, and the limitations on those rights.
Provides a global perspective on intellectual property law. It discusses the different approaches to intellectual property protection around the world. It valuable resource for students and practitioners alike.
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Provides a critical overview of the public domain. It argues that the public domain is essential for innovation and creativity. It valuable resource for anyone interested in the future of intellectual property law.
Provides an overview of trademark law, covering the basics of trademark law, including infringement, dilution, and remedies.
Explores the impact of digital technologies on copyright law, covering topics such as fair use, infringement, and remedies.
Explores the impact of digital technologies on intellectual property law, covering topics such as copyright, trademark, and patent law.
Explores the economic foundations of intellectual property law, covering topics such as copyright, trademark, and patent law.
This practical guide provides clear and concise information on copyright law, making it accessible to both legal professionals and non-lawyers. It valuable resource for anyone seeking to understand and protect their rights under copyright law.
Provides a concise and accessible overview of intellectual property law, covering all major areas of the field. It valuable resource for students seeking a basic understanding of intellectual property rights.
Explores the future of intellectual property law, covering topics such as copyright, trademark, and patent law.
Provides a practical guide to intellectual property law for engineers and scientists. It covers the basics of copyright, trademark, patent, and trade secret law. It valuable resource for engineers and scientists of all levels.
Provides a user-friendly guide to intellectual property law. It covers the basics of copyright, trademark, patent, and trade secret law. It valuable resource for students, practitioners, and anyone else who wants to learn more about intellectual property law.
This practical guide provides an overview of copyright law for writers, covering the basics of copyright law, including fair use, infringement, and remedies. provides more accessible information for writers, who may have little to no background in the legal system.
This practical guide provides an overview of trademark law for business owners, covering the basics of trademark law, including infringement, dilution, and remedies. provides more accessible information for business owners, who may have little to no background in the legal system.
Provides a practical guide to intellectual property law for librarians and information professionals, covering topics such as copyright, trademark, fair use, and open access.

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