Textbooks
I. Introduction
II. Trade Secret
III. Copyright
IV. Patent
V. Sui Generis
VI. Licensing
VII. Conclusion

TEXTBOOKS

Mark Lemley, et al., Software and Internet Law (2000)
Online supplement, http://www.law.berkeley.edu/bclt/pubs/swbook
Handouts in class (Periodically)

I. INTRODUCTION

Early History of Computers; Introduction to Computer Technology; How Software is Made; Economics of Computer Software and Network Markets; Overview of Intellectual Property Protection for Computer Software

II. TRADE SECRET

A. Secrecy

Rivendell Forest v. Georgia-Pacific; Rivendell Forest v. Georgia-Pacific

B. Disclosure

Data General v. Digital Computer; Problem

C. Misappropriation

Baker v. Selden (121-127); CCC v. Maclean (127-136); Text (136-140)

D. Reverse Engineering

Technicon Data Systems v. Curtis 1000; Note on Encryption; Problem

III. COPYRIGHT

A. Origins

B. Scope

1. Protection for Literal Elements of Program Code

Apple Computer v. Franklin Computer; Problem

2. Protection for Non-Literal Elements of Program Code

Whelan Assoc. v. Jaslow Dental Laboratory; Problem; Computer Associates Int'l v. Altai; Problems

3. Protection for Functional Elements and Protocols

Lotus Development Corp. v. Borland Int'l; Digital Communications Assoc. v. Softklone Distributing; Note on the Protection of Computer Protocols After Lotus

4. Protection of Program Outputs: Screen Displays

Stern Electronics v. Kaufman; Problem; Note on the Copyrightability of Computer-Generated Works; Problem; Note on the Fixation Requirement; Problem; Data East USA, v. Epyx

5. Protection for Program Outputs: User Interfaces

Apple Computer v. Microsoft Corp.; Problem

C. Exclusive Rights

Note on the "Special" Problem of Multimedia; 17 U.S.C. § 117; Midway Mfr. Co. v. Artic Int'l; Note on Derivative Works and Section 117; Problem

D. Fair Use

Lewis Galoob Toys v. Nintendo of America; Micro Star v. Formgen

E. Reverse Engineering

Sega Enterprises Ltd. v. Accolade; Sony v. Connectix [supp.]; Note on Reverse Engineering and the DMCA; DMCA [handout]; Universal v. Reimerdes [handout]; Problem

F. Copyright Misuse

Lasercomb v. Reynolds

IV. PATENT

A. Patentability

1. Patentability of Mathematical Algorithms

Gottschalk v. Benson; Note on the "Mental Steps" Doctrine; Note on the Philosophy of Protecting Algorithms; Diamond v. Diehr; In re Alappat; Note on Post-Alappat Developments; Problems; State Street Bank & Trust v. Signature Financial Serv.; Problem

2. Software as a "Method of Doing Business"

State Street Bank & Trust v. Signature Financial Serv.; Amazon.com v. Barnesandnoble.com [handout]; Note on Musgrave and the "Technological Arts"; Note on the Potential Impact of Patents on the Financial Services Industry

3. Patent Policy and Software Patents

League of Programming Freedom, Software Patents: Is This the Future?; USPTO Action Plan [supp.]; Julie Cohen, et al., Patent Scope and Innovation in the Software Industry [handout]

B. Examination and Validity

1. Novelty and Nonobviousness

Lockwood v. American Airlines; Note on Obviousness and Computer-Implemented Inventions

2. Trade Secrets, Section 102(g), and the Software Industry

3. Enablement of Software Inventions

4. Best Mode and Software

Fonar Corp. v. General Electric Co.

C. Infringement

Pennwalt Corp. v. Durand-Wayland, Inc.; Alpex Computer Corp. v. Nintendo Co.; Apple Computer v. Articulate Sys. [supp.]

V. SUI GENERIS

A. Semiconductors

Brooktree v. Advanced Micro Devices; Problem

B. Databases

Warren Publishing, Inc. v. Microdos Data Corp.; Proposed statutes [handout]

C. Software

Peter S. Menell, Tailoring Legal Protection for Computer Software; Pamela Samuelson et al., A Manifesto Concerning the Legal Protection

VI. LICENSING

A. License v. Sale

Communications Groups v. Warner Communications, Inc.; Microsoft Corp. v. Harmony Computers & Electronics; Note on UCITA; Novell v. Network Trade Center

B. What is At Stake

1. Bundling

2. Price Discrimination

Michael Meurer, Price Discrimination, Personal Use and Piracy

3. Control After Resale

C. Contract Formation, Enforcement, and Warranties

1. Contract Formation

a. Contract Formation Under UCC Article 2. Step-Saver Data Sys. v. Wyse Tech.; ProCD v. Zeidenberg; Novell v. Network Trade Center; Note on "Clickwrap" Licenses and Electronic Commerce; Hill v. Gateway 2000

b. Contract Formation Under UCITA. UCITA § 209: Mass-Market Licenses; UCITA § 203: Offer and Acceptance; UCITA § 204: Acceptance With Varying Terms; UCITA § 205: Conditional Offer or Acceptance

2. Extra-Legal Enforcement: Self-Help and the Like

American Computer Trust Leasing v. Jack Farrell Implement Co.; Note on Proposed Treatment Under UCITA; UCITA § 310: Electronic Regulation of Performance; UCITA § 815: Right to Possession and to Prevent Use; UCITA § 816: Limitations on Electronic Self-Help

3. Warranties and Disclaimers

Neilson Business Equip. Center v. Monteleone

VII. CONCLUSION

Back to Top