Spring 2026
Randal
C. Picker
James
Parker Hall Distinguished Service Professor of Law
The
Law School, The University of Chicago
Readings: Copyright Statute; Set 1;
Links: U.S. Copyright Office; U.S. Copyright Office laws page; Columbia and GWU Music Infringement Website
Learning Outcomes Include:
+ Be familiar with the general approaches to the study of law and legal reasoning.
+ Demonstrate the ability to identify and understand key concepts in substantive law, legal theory, and procedure.
+ Demonstrate an understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of law and the contributions that other disciplines can make to the study of law.
|
Date |
# |
Topics/Issues |
Cases/Materials |
Pages |
Statutes |
Slides |
|
M, 3/23 |
1 |
Introduction |
Burrow-Giles, Bleistein |
1-8 |
101 (as necessary (but include copies, created, fixed, literary work, pictorial, graphic and sculptural works)), 102, 106, 201, 202 |
Slides
|
|
W, 3/25 |
2 |
Copying and Use |
White-Smith, Bright Tunes, Rogers |
9-28 |
106, 501, 504 |
|
|
Th, 3/26 |
3 |
Ideas v. Expression |
Rentmeester, Sedlik |
29-54 |
102 |
Slides
|
|
M, 3/30 |
4 |
Facts and Compilations |
Feist, Experian |
55-72 |
101: collective work, compilation, 103 |
|
|
W, 4/1 |
5 |
Authorship and Ownership |
Thomson, Reid |
73-90 |
101: joint work, transfer of ownership, work made for hire; 201, 204(a) |
Slides
|
|
Th, 4/2 |
6 |
Characters |
Gaiman, DC Comics |
91-114 |
<> |
|
|
M, 4/6 |
7 |
Functional Works: Useful Articles |
Mazer, Varsity Brands |
115-142 |
101: pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works |
Slides
|
|
W, 4/8 |
8 |
Functional Works: Computer Software; Derivative Works |
Baker, Lotus, Lee, Rimini |
143-164 |
102, 106(2), 117, 301 |
|
|
Th, 4/9 |
9 |
Rights: Distribution and First-Sale Doctrine |
Bobbs-Merrill, Kirtsaeng |
165-188 |
106(3), 109, 602 |
Slides
|
|
M, 4/13 |
10 |
The Public Domain: Duration and Renewal |
Eldred |
189-208 |
302, 303 |
|
|
W, 4/15 |
11 |
The Public Domain: Governmental Works |
Public Resource |
209-226 |
105 |
Slides
|
|
Th, 4/16 |
12 |
Fair Use |
Campbell, Bill Graham Archives |
227-246 |
107 |
|
|
M, 4/20 |
13 |
Fair Use |
Warhol |
247-286 |
107 |
Slides
|
|
W, 4/22 |
14 |
Capturing TV Signals: Third-Party Liability; Performance Rights |
Sony, Aereo |
287-318 |
106(4) |
|
|
Th, 4/23 |
15 |
Music: Scope of Rights |
Williams |
319-338 |
106(6), |
Slides
|
|
M, 4/27 |
16 |
Music: Sampling |
Newton, Ciccone |
339-360 |
114, 115 |
|
|
W, 4/28 |
17 |
Video Games |
Sega, Blizzard |
361-388 |
1201, 1202 |
Slides
|
|
Th, 4/30 |
18 |
Internet Copying |
Perfect 10, Hunley |
389-414 |
106(3), 106(4), 106(5) |
|
|
M, 5/4 |
19 |
Intermediaries and User Activities |
Lenz, BMG, Sony |
415-446 |
512 |
Slides
|
|
W, 5/6 |
20 |
Enforcement and Damages |
Bouchat, Capitol Records |
447-462 |
501-505 |
|
|
Th, 5/7 |
21 |
Moral Rights; Droit de Suite |
Kelley, Close |
463-488 |
106A |
Slides
|
|
M, 5/11 |
22 |
AI and Copyright: Authorship |
Thaler, Copyright Office Excerpt |
489-504 |
<> |
|
|
W, 5/13 |
23 |
AI and Copyright: Inputs |
Bartz, Kadrey |
505-536 |
<> |
Slides
|
|
Th, 5/14 |
24 |
Review |
|
|