Course description
CopyrightX is a networked course that explores the current law of copyright; the impact of that law on art, entertainment, and industry; and the ongoing debates concerning how the law should be reformed. Through a combination of recorded lectures, assigned readings, weekly seminars, live interactive webcasts, and online discussions, participants in the course examine and assess the ways in which the copyright system seeks to stimulate and regulate creative expression.
In 2013, HarvardX, Harvard Law School, and the Berkman Center for Internet & Society launched an experiment in distance education: CopyrightX, the first free and open distance learning course on law. After three successful offerings, CopyrightX is an experiment no longer. Under the leadership of Professor William Fisher, who created and directs the course, CopyrightX will be offered for a seventh time from January to May 2019.
Three types of courses make up the CopyrightX Community:
- a residential course on Copyright Law, taught by Prof. Fisher to approximately 100 Harvard Law School students;
- an online course divided into sections of 25 students, each section taught by a Harvard Teaching Fellow;
- a set of affiliated courses based in countries other than the United States, each taught by an expert in copyright law.
Participation in the 2019 online sections is free and is open to anyone at least 13 years of age, but enrollment is limited. Admission to the online sections will be administered through an open application process that begins on October 22, 2018, and ends on December 7, 2018. We welcome applicants from all countries, as well as lawyers and non-lawyers alike. To request an application, visit https://goo.gl/uW5dmy. For more details, see CopyrightX:Sections. (The criteria for admission to each of the affiliated courses are set by the course’s instructor. Students who will enroll in the affiliated courses may not apply to the online sections.)
We encourage widespread promotion of the application through personal and professional networks and social media.