Last modified: 29 May 2023 16:46
The course aims to introduce students to the legal aspects of the digital economy. The course will first explore the historical and economical dimension of the ‘platformisation’ of the digital market, to then dig into the relevant areas of law invested by the “disruptive” intervention of online platforms. The course will have a focus on domestic and European Law.
| Study Type | Undergraduate | Level | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Second Term | Credit Points | 30 credits (15 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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The digital economy is now largely characterised by the role played by intermediary gatekeepers, such as online platforms. The European Commission has defined the latter as “an undertaking operating in two or (multi)-sided markets, which uses Internet to enable interaction between two or more distinct but interdependent groups of users so as to generate value for at least one of the groups”. These business models (Uber, Airbnb, Netflix, Amazon are some examples of them) do not operate as merely passive carriers, but they are creating new markets and reshape Internet governance mechanisms. While their existence can potentially entail new job opportunities and consumer choices, their increasing market power and gatekeeping function is raising several concerns from a legal point of view. Through private ordering, platforms can influence consumer behaviours, include or exclude competitors, curate and select the content that one can access online.
The course aims to critically discuss the emerging legal challenges raised by online platforms in the digital economy, their current regulation at the domestic and European level (through the lenses of consumer protection, competition law, data protection, intellectual property, contract law), and the ongoing initiatives to create a level playing field for the actors operating in the digital economy.
The course will be organised around six main topics, such as:
1) The origin of the platform economy: historical and economic background;
2) E-commerce and intermediary liability;
3) Content curation, content moderation, and the fight to illegal content;
4) Transparency in online marketplaces: rankings, recommender systems, and personalised pricing;
5) Platform power and competition law;
6) Platform governance and corporate governance.
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Three questions at 800 words each. Feedback will be provided on the feedback form within three weeks from the date of submission. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
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| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 30 | Feedback Weeks | 33 | |
| Feedback |
The feedback will be provided in written form and in accordance with the Common Grading Scale. The feedback will be provided within three weeks as of submission, in accordance with the School’s and University’s policies. |
Word Count | 3000 | |
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Understand | To gain knowledge and understanding of the legal framework applicable to the platform economy. |
| Procedural | Apply | To apply the knowledge and concepts acquired in concrete case scenarios, such as personalised pricing, content moderation, abuse of dominant position. |
| Reflection | Create | To communicate orally and in writing information, advice and choices in an effective and persuasive manner. |
There are no assessments for this course.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 100 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback | ||||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Reflection | Create | To communicate orally and in writing information, advice and choices in an effective and persuasive manner. |
| Conceptual | Understand | To gain knowledge and understanding of the legal framework applicable to the platform economy. |
| Procedural | Apply | To apply the knowledge and concepts acquired in concrete case scenarios, such as personalised pricing, content moderation, abuse of dominant position. |
| Reflection | Evaluate | To evaluate the legal implications of platform economy, their impact on society and the potential paths for regulation. |
| Reflection | Analyse | To analyse the conflict between different areas of law in the digital sphere, e.g. freedom to conduct a business and intellectual property rights. |
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