Course Description

General theory of contracts-Smart contracts in the light of civil law

 The course is designed to provide candidates with an in-depth understanding of the operation of contract law rules in the digital age. Building on the premise that contracts are the backbone of e-commerce, the course explores both the application of classic rules of contract law to contemporary electronic contracts, on such matters as the formation of the agreement by offer and acceptance, the protection of consent or payment of obligations, and the emerging law tailored for electronic contracts, such as special rules of evidence, limitations of the binding force of agreements (e.g. through special rights of withdrawal from the agreement), rules of contractual liability in e-commerce and specific rules concerning the enforcement of such agreements

Media Law

The course aims to address an emerging topic that is becoming more and more present in everyone’s work and life: the legal relationships that arise in relation to media sources. From classics such as the transition from traditional media sources to the internet to the challenges of rule-making in the digital age, the course will analyze the conduct, rights and obligations of all participants in such legal relationships, whether they are individuals or owners of online platforms, media outlets, etc. Obviously, there will be no shortage of sensitive issues, such as the impact of fake news, censorship, the defense mechanism against them and legal liability concerning the topics. It is becoming more and more obvious that activities on digital platforms are extremely lucrative, so we will also address issues related to specific contracts and commercial advertising in its broadest sense.

Data protection and information privacy in digital era

This course will examine the EU data protection regime as set out in the General Data Protection Regulation ((EU) 2016/679) on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and the free movement of such data (GDPR). It will provide you with an overview of the terminology and underlying principles of data protection and address specific areas and requirements for data controllers and processors that are subject to both EU and international data privacy and data protection laws.

Artificial intelligence law

The course introduces students to the legal and wider regulatory issues raised by the increasing use of automated and autonomous devices in all fields of life. As we increasingly allow machines to make decisions for us, this raises significant problems for our legal concepts of liability, responsibility and legal personhood. Since AI systems rely on sensors to perform their tasks, they also raise issues of data protection and privacy. The course covers both embodied artificial intelligent systems (“robots”) and non-embodied devices (“autonomous agents”). Legal ramifications of these technologies will be studied also with a view on their political, economic and ethical implications

Human Rights in Digital era

Human rights have gone through an extensive digitisation process. The context of the COVID – 19 pandemic has also helped to illustrate the importance of the cyber environment for this field. The focus on human rights in the digital age is a key element for a comprehensive analysis of them. The internet and social media have given individuals the opportunity to freely express their views and opinions. At the same time, this freedom has also led to numerous violations of other rights such as the right to privacy, the right to image or the right to intellectual property. The analysis of human rights in relation to technological developments is increasingly necessary for all legal specialists.

Online jurisdiction in civil and commercial matters

 With the continuous evolution of technology, we bear witness to the digitalization of our everyday lives. Traditional private law relations are rapidly moving onto the international stage, through cross border e-commerce, social media, digital broadcasting, online press and so on. This raises various questions of private international law, which will be addressed in this course. International jurisdiction in cyberspace cases, both in terms of the courts having jurisdiction, as well as the law applicable in such litigations, is the core topic of the course. By way of a theoretical and practical approach to the curriculum, students will be able to correctly determine jurisdiction for contractual obligations, torts, consumer disputes, intellectual property infringements, infringements of personality rights, all arising in cyberspace. The goal of this course is to offer students the legal tools to effortlessly navigate the intricate nature of the borderless digital world.

Intellectual Property Law in the digital era

 Technological and cultural innovation is of growing importance to economic prosperity. For this reason, the protection offered by the law to innovators is all the more important. This course provides an introduction to IP protection of technology through copyright and patent. The role of copyright has over the years steadily grown, not just for cultural innovation, but also for technical innovation. Copyright is of relevance to technology in several ways like for example the fact that copyright protects ‘technology’, such as software, databases and architecture and technical innovation (such as the rise of peer to peer-networks) affects copyright protection of traditional works, such as music and movies.

Cybercrimes -International and European frameworks on substantive and procedural matters

This course focuses on the substantive and procedural aspects of cyber-criminality in the context of international and European legal frameworks. Different topics will be discussed pivoting between a technical analysis of the applicable offences and rules to be taken into consideration in investigative procedures and international co-operation matters. Cyberoperations and international law The exploitation of certain regulatory misconceptions generated by the exponential growth of cyber operations and the implication of various actors performing in cyberspace – be it states, individuals, international organizations or corporations – is gradually affecting international peace and security. Several international organizations, heads of state, private entities or nongovernmental organizations, confirm that we face a contemporary proliferation of illegal acts performed in cyberspace. What is clear, today, is that international law applies in cyberspace. However, applying international law to certain cyber activities is not simple. This course will provide in-depth theoretical and practical insights regarding classic but evolving topics of international law, such as manifestations of sovereignty in cyberspace, and more progressive ones such as cyberattacks, cyber-force, active/passive cyber defense or cyber espionage. Students will be able to understand the essential legal frameworks that policy makers use for addressing cyber-operations through multilateral, bilateral or unilateral instruments

Taxing Digital economy

This subject explores the complex and evolving field of taxation in the digital economy, addressing the legal and policy challenges that arise as traditional tax systems struggle to keep pace with digital business models. In the contemporary global context, characterised by the growing prominence of multinational technology conglomerates, platform economies, and virtual transactions, the imperative for coherent and equitable taxation frameworks has emerged as a pressing global concern.

Students will critically examine international efforts to reform tax rules, focusing on initiatives led by the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework such as Pillar One and Pillar Two, and the EU regulations and directives. The subject also explores unilateral digital services taxes (DSTs), the impact of digitalisation on VAT/GST regimes, and the tension between source and residence-based taxation in the digital age.

Comparative case studies and analysis of policy papers, treaties, and domestic legislation are to be employed so that students may gain a comprehensive understanding of the legal, economic, and political dimensions of taxing digital activity.