(1) Intro to the Course

(2) Background and Introduction:
Why We Think Intellectual Property is a Good Idea

Readings:
Kitch & Perlman, The Problem of Entry, in Intellectual Property and Unfair Competition 1-63 (5th ed. 1998)
Chisum et al., Philosophy of Patent Law, in Principles of Patent Law 42-81 (2nd ed. 2001)

I'm interested in discussing the various theoretical justifications for intellectual property, and whether we think any/all of them are likely to influence real-world behavior. Be sure to consider the differences between justifications that work for copyright, patent, and trademark.

Some Thoughts on the Value of Copyright

Stephen Breyer, The Uneasy Case for Copyright: A Study of Copyright in Books, Photocopies, and Computer Programs, 84 HARV. L. REV. 281 (1970) (Read only §§ II(B)-(C), III(B), and IV).

Lawrence Lessig, THE FUTURE OF IDEAS: THE FATE OF THE COMMONS IN A CONNECTED WORLD (2001) (Chapters 4 and 6).

We'll discuss the assigned articles in the context of whether Copyright law is defensible in the information economy.

no class

Some Thoughts on the Value of Patents

Stanley M Besen & Leo J. Raskind, An Introduction to the Law and Economics of Intellectual Property, 5(1) J. of Econ. Persp 3 (1991).

Edmund W. Kitch, The Nature and Function of the Patent System, 20 J. Law & Econ 265 (1977).

Robert Merges & Richard Nelson, On the Complex Economics of Patent Scope, 90 Colum. L. Rev. 890 (1990). (Read the Introduction and Sections I and II only.)

We'll discuss the assigned articles in the context of whether (and how) patent law is defensible in the information economy.

Some Thoughts on the Value of Trademarks

Mark Lemley, The Modern Lanham Act and the Death of Common Sense, 108 Yale L.J. 1687 (1999).

We'll discuss the article in light of more recent developments in trademark law.

The Strategy of Open Source Software

Eric S. Raymond, THE CATHEDRAL & THE BAZAAR (2000) [I recommend focusing on sections 1-4, 9-11]

Josh Lerner & Jean Tirole, THE SIMPLE ECONOMICS OF OPEN SOURCE (2000) [I recommend focusing on sections 1-2, 4-5]

Richard Stallman, WHY SOFTWARE SHOULD BE FREE (April 24, 1992).

Craig Mundie, THE COMMERCIAL SOFTWARE MODEL (May 3, 2001).

Empirical Evidence & Intellectual Property

Edwin Mansfield, Patents & Innovation: An Empirical Study, 32 MGMT. SCIENCE 173 (Feb. 1986).

Zvi Griliches, Productivity, R&D, and basic Research at the Firm Level in the 1970s, 76:1 AM. ECON. REVIEW 141 (March 1986).

Richard C. Levin et al, Appropriating the Returns from Industrial Research & Development, BROOKINGS PAPERS ON ECON ACTIVITY 3:1987.

Can Patents Deter Innovation? A Look at Patenting Behavior.

Michael Heller & Rebecca Eisenberg, Can Patents Deter Innovation? The Anticommons in Biomedical Research, 280 SCIENCE 698 (May 1998).

F. Scott Kieff, Property Rights and Property Rules for Commercializing Inventions, 85 MINN L. REV. 697 (2001) (I recommend focusing on the Introduction and Section II.)

Rosemarie Ziedonis, WHEN THE GIANTS’ SHOULDERS ARE CROWDED: FRAGMENTED RIGHTS AND PATENT STRATEGIES IN SEMICONDUCTORS (draft manuscript 2002) (All of it is interesting, but if you’re pressed for time, look at Section 1 and Section 6.)

A Reconsideration of the Online Content Industry: Promise and Peril

The materials for this week are a loosely-organized collection of legal documents, press releases and opinion pieces, and a healthy dose of industry news – all relating to the ongoing disputes about online music.

Our class discussion will focus on the strategic aspects of the online music (and movie) business, including a look at how much (if at all) we think that intellectual property rights are playing a role.

no class – spring break

Brenda
Robinson

Bunmi
Shabi

Zeb
Schorr

David
Goldman