Elements of Musical Information Law
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course aims at providing students with a comprehensive view on copyright, related rights, and intellectual property rights, with specific reference to digital music and its use over the internet. To this aim, it offers a detailed analysis of the regulations related to copyright, as well as those applicable to e-commerce of goods and services connected to the music industry.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, the student shall be able to master the main elements of legislation and regulations connected to copyright in the musical domain: types of contracts, function of the SIAE, infringements and plagiarism, forms of legal protection.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Introduction
- intellectual property
- works of authorship and the information society
Elements of Copyright
- ownership rights and the subjects of copyright
- the content of author rights
- moral rights and patrimonial rights
- collective works and collaborative works
- exceptions and fair use exclusions
Musical Works
- protection of sound recordings
- specificities of music publishing agreements
- radio broadcasts
- neighbouring rights of recording artists and phonogram producers
- the copyright collection society SIAE and the activity of intermediaries
Music Content Management in the Digital Context
- digitalisation of the phonogram
- file sharing, streaming, and social media platforms
- creative commons and the reuse and remixing of content
- Internet radios
- digital rights management (DRM) and protection systems
Production, Distribution, and E-commerce
- legal implications flowing from the use of hardware and software components
- licensing agreements
- digital buying and digital renting
- consumer protections
- the use of nonfungible tokens (NFTs) with music content
The role of Artificial Intelligence systems
- opportunities and risks associated with the use of AI solutions in the music sector;
- artificial intelligence and copyright
- the European regulation defined by the AI Act
- intellectual property
- works of authorship and the information society
Elements of Copyright
- ownership rights and the subjects of copyright
- the content of author rights
- moral rights and patrimonial rights
- collective works and collaborative works
- exceptions and fair use exclusions
Musical Works
- protection of sound recordings
- specificities of music publishing agreements
- radio broadcasts
- neighbouring rights of recording artists and phonogram producers
- the copyright collection society SIAE and the activity of intermediaries
Music Content Management in the Digital Context
- digitalisation of the phonogram
- file sharing, streaming, and social media platforms
- creative commons and the reuse and remixing of content
- Internet radios
- digital rights management (DRM) and protection systems
Production, Distribution, and E-commerce
- legal implications flowing from the use of hardware and software components
- licensing agreements
- digital buying and digital renting
- consumer protections
- the use of nonfungible tokens (NFTs) with music content
The role of Artificial Intelligence systems
- opportunities and risks associated with the use of AI solutions in the music sector;
- artificial intelligence and copyright
- the European regulation defined by the AI Act
Prerequisites for admission
None
Teaching methods
The course will consist of lectures, with a special emphasis on direct dialogue with students, who at any time will be able to make proposals for deeper study or for exchange sessions on the issues they most care about.
During the lectures, we will also be studying concrete cases so as to better contextualize the legal implications stemming from the management of musical works in a digital environment.
During the lectures, we will also be studying concrete cases so as to better contextualize the legal implications stemming from the management of musical works in a digital environment.
Teaching Resources
M.G. Jori, Diritto, nuove tecnologie e comunicazione digitale (Milan: Giuffrè, 2013) (with the exception of chapter V)
The slides shown and discussed in class made avaiable on the ARIEL webpage.
The slides shown and discussed in class made avaiable on the ARIEL webpage.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Students are graded on the basis of a final written exam designed to test whether they have gained a proper grasp of the legal notions needed to address the most common copyright issues, especially in connection with digital music.
This final exam lasts 75 minutes and is divided into two parts, the first consisting of eleven multiple choice questions (worth two points each) and three mini-essay questions (each awarding a grade ranging from zero through three points depending on the depth of analysis with which the question is answered).
This final exam lasts 75 minutes and is divided into two parts, the first consisting of eleven multiple choice questions (worth two points each) and three mini-essay questions (each awarding a grade ranging from zero through three points depending on the depth of analysis with which the question is answered).
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)