Last modified: 28 Jun 2018 10:27
This module provides an introduction to a number of legal issues relevant to software development and exploitation. It aims to increase students' awareness of commercial and legal issues relevant to their own work in the context of the wider software industry sector.The module thus focuses on legal topics relevant to those establishing their own business, including types of business and the fundamentals of contract law, also covering legal issues specific to software, such as the application of intellectual property law to software products. Students are expected to participate in the weekly discussions on the module’s MyAberdeen discussion board.
| Study Type | Postgraduate | Level | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Second Term | Credit Points | 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | None. | Sustained Study | No |
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The course covers specific business and legal concepts currently used in the software sector to devise commercial contracts, licences, and development agreements. As such, it provides a thorough and wide introduction to the matter, allowing students to understand the wider commercial and legal regulatory framework that underpins legally binding agreements in the ICT area. Introduction to commercial issues in the software sector: Cluster development theory; The competitive edge in industrialised countries; Analysis of the IT sector, its structure, its contributing components, its future challenges; Hi-tech IT and software businesses; Corporate strategy and Business strategy. Contract issues: Legal form underpinning business transactions; Avoiding legal uncertainty; Key elements of contract ; Duty of care; Contractual and delictual liability; Specific issues involving IT, Computers and IP Rights; Specific issues in e-contract; Licensing; Liability for information content. Trademark, domain, and data protection: How to protect trademarks; How to protect domain names under trademark law; Copyright protection of data repositories; Database rights; Is protection of databases anti-competitive? Patenting vs copyrighting in the IT sector: Patenting innovation; Copyright protection for computer software.
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
1 two-hour written examination (60%); continuous assessment (40%).
There are no assessments for this course.
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