University of Maine
SIE 525 INFORMATION SYSTEMS LAW
Fall 2001
11:00 - 12:15 Tues & Thurs, Room 126 Barrows Hall
Instructor: Professor Harlan J. Onsrud
Course Objectives
This course reviews the current status of information systems law in regard to rights of privacy, freedom of information, confidentiality, work product protection, copyright, security, legal liability, and a range of additional legal and information policy topics. We will investigate the legal difficulties that technological innovations are causing in all of these areas. We will focus particularly on these issues in regard to their impact on the use of databases and, more specifically, spatial databases. Legal options for dealing with the conflicts caused by technological change and likely adaptations of the law over time in response to societal changes will be explored.
Course Materials
Note that this is a graduate course in information systems law and ethical issues for non-law students. The typical enrolled student is pursuing a graduate degree in engineering, information systems, or computer science. As such, a substantial amount of time is spent on introductory legal concepts. Further, we will focus on overview books for most of the readings rather than use the text of case law or legislation. (For materials appropriate for a law school course, see for instance, Law 276.1 Cyberlaw.)
Required readings include several books. The required books are typically cheaper to purchase online than in the university bookstore so you should purchase them online yourself from any distributor you desire. I have listed a few sample prices. I recommend that you order the books by express mail in the first week of class (or earlier) and begin reading them at once.
Suggested completion dates for each book are indicated on the syllabus. Course lectures will NOT correspond exactly with the readings although I reference some sections in the books for you to consult on topics as we cover them.
Additional reading materials will be made available on the web over time. Geographic data conflict examples are often used in this course to illustrate principles.
Discussion Piece (Read this in the first week.)
Communications
All enrolled students must obtain a FirstClass mail account. Delivery of assignments, exams, and written communications among the class as a group will occur through use of this system. Information on obtaining a FirstClass account and information on acquiring additional free software to access course materials may be found at access, hardware and software. Contacts for phone and e-mail technical assistance are also provided. I highly recommend that all students view the distance education considerations below. In the event I need to travel I may video some lecture materials in advance or after the fact that may be viewed using the technologies described.
Notes Concerning First Class: Please note that messages may be sent from anywhere on the Internet to the rest of the class by sending a message to SIE525@umit.maine.edu If you prefer using another e-mail address, you can set FirstClass to forward any e-mails arriving on your FirstClass account to your standard e-mail address (or vice versa.) All assignments and exams will be delivered by electronic mail by you to a FirstClass assignment folder.
Important Notice to All Students
Copyright Notice for Materials Accessible through this Website
For those students interested in GIS Law issues.
Distance Education Considerations
Some students may be taking this course through live streaming video on the web. To sign up for the course from a distant location, contact the UMaine Continuing Education Division. In order to take the course by distance methods, access, software and hardware requirements must be met. To ensure that all technologies are working you should be able to view (1) this web page, (2) the slides for a lecture, and (3) the streaming video all at the same time on your screen in three separate windows. After you have followed the download instructions, test that you are operational prior to the first class meeting by clicking on "Slides 1" and "Lecture 1" in the syllabus below. If you can't view the web and these two items at the same time, call the technical assistance folks as noted for help.
Lectures may be viewed during the time they are occurring on campus (11:00 - 12:15 T & Th) by accessing LIVE STREAMING VIDEO. (If you have problems, call 1-877-947-4357). The videos may be viewed a day or so after they occur by clicking on the lecture links below.
Office Hours
I am in the office most days and you are welcome to drop by at any time although appointments are sometimes better for longer discussions. E-mail is the simplest way to get a message through and a response. I generally look at messages coming to onsrud@spatial.maine.edu before I look at any messages coming to my FirstClass address (i.e. Harlan_Onsrud@umit.maine.edu)
Typical Schedule of Lectures
| Wk | Day | Date | Topic | Required Readings* | Assignment | Class Video |
| 1 | T | Sept 4 | Introductory Materials [SlidesIntro] | Le Ch 1-5, NRC pp 1-54 | Lecture 1 | |
| TH | Sept 6 | (continued) | Read Tragedy of Info Commons | Lecture 2 | ||
| 2 | T | Sept 11 | Liability [SlidesLiability] | Le Ch 6-8 | Read Liability in Use of GIS | Lecture 3 |
| TH | Sept 13 | (continued) | Lecture 4 | |||
| 3 | T | Sept 18 | Ethics [SlidesEthics] | Sp Ch 1 | 1. Liability Response Due | Lecture 5 |
| TH | Sept 20 | (continued) | Finish Lessig | Lecture 6 | ||
| 4 | T | Sept 25 | Privacy [SlidesPrivacy] | Sp Ch 5, Le Ch 11 | Lecture 7 | |
| TH | Sept 27 | (continued) | Lecture 8 | |||
| 5 | T | Oct 2 | Privacy | Lecture 9 | ||
| TH | Oct 4 | (continued) | Finish Privacy Book | Lecture 10 | ||
| 6 | T | Oct 9 | Fall Break | |||
| TH | Oct 11 | Intellectual Property Basics [SlidesIPBasics] | Sp Ch 4, Le Ch 9&10 | 2. Privacy Book Review Due | Lecture 11 | |
| 7 | T | Oct 16 | Copyright | NRC Ch 2-4 | Lecture 12 | |
| TH | Oct 18 | (continued) | Li p60-63, Ch 5-8, Ch 12 | Lecture 13 | ||
| 8 | T | Oct 23 | Database Legislation & Academic Research [SlidesDtbs] | Lecture 14 | ||
| TH | Oct 25 | Self-help Technologies: Copyright, Copyleft & DE Commons [SlidesCpyLt] | Finish Litman | Lecture 15 | ||
| 9 | T | Oct 30 | Copyright, Copyleft & DE Commons (con't) | Lecture 16 | ||
| TH | Nov 1 | Public Information [SlidesFOIA] | Lecture 17 | |||
| 10 | T | Nov 6 | IP Discussion Piece on MP3s | 3. In class IP exercise | Lecture 18 | |
| TH | Nov 8 | Scientific and Technical Data | NRC Ch 3-6 | missed | ||
| 11 | T | Nov 13 | Public Information (con't) | Lecture 19 | ||
| TH | Nov 15 | Public Information [SlidesLocalGovt] | Lecture 20 | |||
| 12 | T | Nov 20 | Free Speech [SlidesFreeSpeech]] | Sp Ch 3, Le Ch 12 | Finish NRC Report | Lecture 21 |
| TH | Nov 22 | Thanksgiving Break | ||||
| 13 | T | Nov 27 | Evidentiary Admissibility [SlidesEvid]] | Evidence from GIS | Lecture 22 | |
| TH | Nov 29 | Jurisdiction and the Internet [SlidesJuris]] | Sp Ch 2, Le 14 | Lecture 23 | ||
| 14 | T | Dec 4 | International Law and Trade [SlidesILT] | 4. Scenario Response Due | Lecture 24 | |
| TH | Dec 6 | (continued) | Lecture 25 | |||
| 15 | T | Dec 11 | International Law and Trade | Lecture 26 | ||
| TH | Dec 13 | (continued) | Finish Spinello | Lecture 27 | ||
| Dec 17 | Final Exam Week | 5. Final Exam | Lecture 28 |
*
Le = Lessig, Code and Other Laws of Cyberspace
Li = Litman, Digital Copyright
NRC = National Research Council, The Digital Dilemma
Sp = Spinello, Cyber Ethics: Morality and Law in Cyberspace
[Primary Research Interests] [Selected Publications] [Courses]
[GIS Law, Policy and Ethics] [GIS in Developing Countries] [GSDI Survey]