USSY 273 - Intellectual Property: Pirates and Privateers

Institution:

Case Western Reserve University

Subject:

Description:

We take it for granted that our cars and camels are our "property" but what about intangible objects like poems or songs on CDs? In this seminar we will examine the development of this relatively recent form of property through the lens of piracy. We will begin with piracy on the high seas. Through analysis of historical, literary, and cinematic representations of piratical activity in the early modern era we will develop a critical methodology to aid us when we turn our attention to the newer "intellectual" property. Intellectual property is rapidly becoming the linchpin of the burgeoning global "information economy," and the U.S. is among its staunchest and most powerful enforcers. Yet only a century ago the U.S. was itself a pirate nation. After examining this piratical moment in the history of intellectual property we will turn for comparison to a selection of present-day transgressions--from peer-to-peer file sharing, to Asian software and CD/DVD bootlegging, and South American patent busting. Our aim will be to develop an informed position in the current public debate about the legitimacy and limits of private ownership of ideas in our globalizing information economy. Prereq: Passing letter grade in a 100 level first year seminar in USFS, FSSY, FSCC, FSNA, FSSO or FSCS. Prereq or Coreq: FSTS 100

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.case.edu

Phone Number:

(216) 368-2000

Regional Accreditation:

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

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