LAW 8301 e-Commerce Law

STAFFING:

OTHER-REQUISITES:

SYNOPSIS:

This course seeks to give students a detailed understanding of the law as it relates to the Internet and in particular e-commerce. It will examine the most problematic areas from a legal point of view. These areas include regulatory models, jurisdiction, consumer protection, electronic payment systems, copyright, domain name disputes, patents, privacy, content regulation (for example, censorship and gambling) , electronic crime and also taxation. In each area the application of existing legal principles to e-commerce as well as the newly developed 'cyberlaw' principles will be examined. In some of these areas of law the growth in e-commerce has outstripped the growth in the law. In these areas we will identify the legal issues and look at any proposed laws that seek to clarify these new issues. Students must have access to the Internet to complete this course.

OBJECTIVES:

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

1. explain the general legal issues that have arisen globally as a result of the establishment and growth of e-commerce;
2. analyse the existing legislation and case law that is relevant to e-commerce apply it to given case studies;
3. evaluate the Australian legislation that impacts on e-commerce;
4. compare developments in e-commerce law in jurisdictions outside Australia;
5. demonstrate satisfactory skills in communication.

TOPICS:

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed:

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

NOTES:

1.

The examination is scheduled to be held in the end-of-semester examination period. Students will be advised of the official examination date after the timetable has been finalised.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   If you are an international student in Australia, you are advised to attend all classes at your campus. For all other students, there are no attendance requirements for this course. However, it is the students' responsibility to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   Students must submit assignments that represent a reasonable attempt as determined by the Examiner. Students must obtain at least 50% of the marks available for the examination.
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   If students submit assignments after the due date without prior approval then a penalty of 20% of the total marks gained by the student for the assignment will apply for each working day late.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must attempt all of the summative assessment items, achieve at least 50% in the examination and achieve an aggregated mark of at least 50% of the available weighted marks for the summative assessment items.
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the weighted aggregate of the marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
6. Examination information:
   This is a restricted examination. Candidates are allowed access to specific materials during the examination. The only materials that candidates may use in the restricted examination for this course are: (i) writing materials (non-electronic and free from material which could give the student an unfair advantage in the examination); (ii) English translation dictionaries (but not technical dictionaries); (iii) a copy of the 'Examination Book'. Item (ii) may not be marked or flagged. Item (iii) may be flagged, highlighted or underlined but may not be marked in any other way. Students are not permitted to take mobile telephones, pagers or other electronic means of communication into the examination room.
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   Any Deferred or Supplementary examinations for this course will be held during the next examination period.
8. University Regulations:
   Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6. Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm. Students should also read the Faculty of Business Guide to Policies and Procedures of the Faculty which can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/handbook/current/buspolproc.html.

ASSESSMENT NOTES

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

1. Learning Resources: Prescribed texts and materials (see above); recommended reference materials (see above); printed Introductory Book, Solutions Book, Examination Book, and Study Book; and course Website accessible via USQConnect.
2. E-mail and Internet Access: Students will require access to e-mail and the Internet for this course.