Law of the Digital Economy
The online certificate course “Law of the Digital Economy” is an innovative and English-language training programme aimed at students and practitioners from all over the world who want to deal with the basic legal structures of the digital economy. At a time when digital technologies are profoundly changing companies and societies and the regulatory density of these areas of life is constantly increasing, an understanding of the legal framework of the digital economy is indispensable. “Law of the Digital Economy” optimally prepares participants for the legal challenges of the digital economy and makes them certified experts in the areas of IP, data (protection) and AI law.
How is the Online Certificate Course structured?
The additional training consists of a one-year course, which is divided into the lectures European IP and Media Law in the winter term and European Data Law in the summer term. At the end of the winter term, students have to write an open-book exam on the content taught in the European IP and Media Law lecture. In the summer semester, participants write a legal essay on a given topic. If both examinations are passed, participants receive a certificate attesting to the examination results achieved and the knowledge acquired. Students do not have to be on site to attend either the lectures or the examinations.
What content is taught?
The additional training programme covers a wide range of topics relevant to the digital economy, including
- Copyright law in the digital age: legal protection of software, databases and other digital goods;
- Liability and responsibility on the internet and social media: regulation of platforms, internet providers and content providers;
- Drafting contracts in the digital economy: IT and software contracts;
- Data protection and data security: basic principles of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the protection of customer and company data and the resilience of critical infrastructures through cybersecurity law;
- Data economy law: the Europe-wide and cross-industry transfer and use of (raw) data through the Data Act and other sector-specific regulations
- Artificial intelligence: the regulation of artificial intelligence through the European Union’s AI Regulation
How are the lectures structured?
All lectures are streamed via Zoom and then uploaded to YouTube. This enables decentralised participation from anywhere in the world as well as remote participation and “on the job”. The lectures are held entirely in English and are given by international experts from Lisbon, Tashkent, Uzbekistan and London. There are also regular Q&A sessions and guest lectures on individual topics. Students receive weekly follow-up information as well as information on the lecture modules and important dates via an e-mail distribution list.
Who is Law of the Digital Economy aimed at?
The additional training is aimed at interested students and practising lawyers from all over the world who would like to develop a sound understanding of the legal framework of the digital economy in order to be able to provide legal advice to companies in the digital economy and guide them through the digital transformation on this basis.
Is there any help for non-European students?
To make it easier for non-European students to get started with LDE, we have put together a collection of helpful (technical) tools. You can find the document here.
How much does the participation cost?
Participation in the online certificate course is completely free of charge. Students will be provided with a free script to accompany the lectures for follow-up work.
Where can I apply and what requirements must I fulfil?
The application period begins on 1 July and ends on 30 September. Applications can be submitted via the registration tool at the following link, stating your profession or the number of semesters you have completed https://www.itm.nrw/seminare/zusatzausbildung-law-of-the-digital-economy/
Participants should have a basic legal understanding of the content taught in the additional training programme, which has been acquired as part of a degree course or on the job. Participants must also be fluent in written and spoken English. Certificates or proof are not required.
Who organises the course?
The additional training “Law of the Digital Economy” is a free and international course offered by Professor Dr Thomas Hoeren, Director of the Institute for Information, Telecommunications and Media Law (ITM) at the University of Münster. Professor Hoeren combines over 25 years of experience in research and teaching and launched the ITM additional training course in 1997, which 50 – 100 participants have successfully completed every year since then. From October 2024, the ITM certificate course will be replaced by the internationally oriented and future-oriented Law Of The Digital Economy certificate course. Together with partners from Vienna, London, Lisbon, Georgia and Uzbekistan, Professor Hoeren will introduce participants to the legal foundations of the digital economy.
Are there any further information materials?
You can find a brochure in English here: Broschüre Zusatzausbildung LDE. For up-to-date information on lectures, events or seminars, please visit our homepage http://www.itm.nrw.
