Dr Orla Lynskey (NAB 6.23)

This course is available on the MPA in European Public and Economic Policy, MPA in International Development, MPA in Public Policy and Management, MPA in Public and Economic Policy, MPA in Public and Social Policy, MSc in Global Media and Communications (LSE and Fudan), MSc in Global Media and Communications (LSE and USC), MSc in Law and Accounting, MSc in Media and Communications (Media and Communications Governance), MSc in Regulation, Master of Laws and Master of Laws (extended part-time study). This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.

This course is capped at 30 students. Students must apply through Graduate Course Choice on LSEforYou.

This course does not require an in-depth understanding of contemporary computer technology. 

This course examines and discusses topical issues in relation to the law of the internet and other digital information devices (iPhones etc.). It opens by examining the issues relating to network regulation or control by addressing questions such as "can the internet be regulated?" and "who is competent to police online content and activity?". Students taking the course will be expected to develop knowledge and understanding of the different values and interests brought to bear in the regulation of information technologies and communities. Armed with this theoretical background, students will then be asked to consider how these values are reflected in the regulatory design of the online environment. This examination will be conducted by considering a number of case studies relating to online privacy, defamation, criminal activity and market power. The course concludes by examining the topical and politically charged question of whether Internet Service Providers should be allowed to vary service conditions by types of content.  

20 hours of seminars in the MT. 2 hours of seminars in the ST.

Students should submit an essay plan and working bibliography for the assessed essay. All students are expected to contribute to a series of class and online exercises, and to submit one 2,000 word formative essay.

Murray, Information Technology Law: The Law and Society (OUP, 2nd ed, 2013)

Edwards & Waelde (eds), Law and the Internet 3rd ed (Hart, 2009)

Murray, The Regulation of Cyberspace (Routledge, 2007)

Lessig, Code Ver, 2.0 (Basic Books, 2006)

Zittrain, The Future of the Internet (Penguin, 2009) 

Benkler, The Wealth of Networks (Yale UP, 2007)

Sunstein, Republic.com 2.0 (Princeton UP, 2009).

Essay (100%, 8000 words) in the ST.