fandomhigh | Lawyering Up: Week 2, Wed, Period 2 (1/16)

Nathan was there, dressed in a suit and tie as usual. He passed out a packet of handouts. "Today we're going to be discussing Copyright Law. At its core, Copyright Law makes sure people get credit and/or payment for their own work. Sounds good so far, right?

"However," Nathan continued, "changing technology means that law as we knew it doesn't necessarily apply to law as we need it. A novelist who rips entire passages from previously written books and poems - as silly as that idea may seem - has plenty of established law to try to navigate.

"But these days there are all new kinds of problems." Nathan looked around the room. "For example, file sharing. Which I'm sure everyone here has only ever done in a perfectly legal fashion. In your handouts you'll see a summary of MGM vs Grokster. This case provides an example of the can of worms that's been opened on copyrights. How do we protect people's right to be credited and paid while at the same time responding to the consumer's demand to use new technology? Is it possible to prevent theft without preventing legal innovations? What constitutes theft in the first place?

"I don't expect you to answer all of these questions today," Nathan said. "But I want you to gain an appreciation of the issues. Last week we discussed the use of precedent. This week I want you to see what happens when society takes a huge leap and precedent has yet to catch up.

"So what I want you to do is take a look at the handouts, including the last one if you're really into the reading. Then come up with your own ideas of how file sharing should be handled. Any aspect of it. Should we continue to try to adapt precedent? Should we give up on that for a new system? How could file sharing be set up to honor copyright as we know it without allowing illegal activities? Assume anything is possible, for the purpose of the exercise.

"Be prepared to defend your position though," Nathan said. "Because once you tell us what you think your classmates get to question you. Don't worry, you'll get to question them in turn. I might join in myself from time to time. I want to see you using what we've done so far, and getting practice at arguing your case.

"Oh, and - " Nathan checked his paperwork. "Some administrative notes. Sam Winchester is the class TA. My office hours are Thursday mornings. So far Annette is the only one to have provided me with a lawyer joke so she's currently winning that race. And if Ms. Wexler is here, I'd like to chat with you after class." Nathan smiled. "Don't worry. You're not in trouble. We can schedule for another day if today's not good for you.

"That's it. Get started on trying to find solutions to the copyright problem, and feel free to ask questions if you need to."

[ooc: OCD ~~coming~~ up! Going to bed, will pick up pings tomorrow.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Not at all," Sam said, shaking his head. "Peter's not really the lawyer type. Are you?" he asked. "Or did you accidentally end up in this class."

"My mom signed me up," Lucas rolled his eyes. "It makes for an interesting schedule. As for being the lawyer type...I'd consider myself more of a writer."

"Really?" Sam asked, sounding intrigued ~~god help me~~. "What kind of writing?"

"Mostly stuff about people," Lucas told him. "I knew some pretty amazing people back home, but I'm getting the impression Fandom might have even more."

"We do have some pretty amazing people here. I might be kind of biased in that view though."

"You've been here very long?" Lucas asked. "Or did you just meet the best people ever here?"

"Both," Sam said. "I've been here for a year and a half with my brother and my dad, and between Peter, my girlfriend, and the principal...yeah, they're kind of the best people ever."

"I gotta tell you, man, that's kinda nice to hear," Lucas replied. "Especially after the crazy things I've seen and been told."

"I won't tell you this place isn't crazy," Sam said. "But the crazy is usually outnumbered by the good. What have you been told about?"

"Let's see," Lucas considered. "The zombies, the dinosaurs, the vampires, the gremlins, and the random crazy mood swings. I think that might be the definition of crazy."

"Wow, it sounds like you got some good details," Sam said, snickering. "The random crazy mood swing thing is new, I've never seen that happen before."

"So I got here just in time to experience something new, great," he chuckled. "Hey, was that you on the radio, or is there another Sam?"

"Um. Yeah, that was me," Sam said. "I was auditioning with my brother."

"It was quite an audition," Lucas assured him. "Now that I've met you, you have my vote. But I better let you get back to your papers."

"Thanks," Sam said, smiling. "If you ever have any more questions, I'd be happy to answer them."

Lawyering Up: Week 2, Wed, Period 2 (1/16)

Re: Talk to the TA (1/16/08)

Re: Talk to the TA (1/16/08)

Re: Talk to the TA (1/16/08)

Re: Talk to the TA (1/16/08)

Re: Talk to the TA (1/16/08)

Re: Talk to the TA (1/16/08)

Re: Talk to the TA (1/16/08)

Re: Talk to the TA (1/16/08)

Re: Talk to the TA (1/16/08)

Re: Talk to the TA (1/16/08)

Re: Talk to the TA (1/16/08)

Re: Talk to the TA (1/16/08)

Re: Talk to the TA (1/16/08)

Re: Talk to the TA (1/16/08)

Re: Talk to the TA (1/16/08)