INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY LAW

The course aims to understand the relationship between today's technology, information and communication technology, and law. Technology is, on the one hand, a tool of law: think about the computerization of proceedings or to new forms of legal documentation and attribution, as the digital signature. On the other hand, technology itself becomes an object of law which must govern brand new phenomena: think of the right to privacy in a context in which all the activities done on the Internet can be monitored, the electronic means of payment, copyright, e-commerce and its impact on classical forms and principles of contract law.

knowledge of problems related to information technology
ability to understand the risks and potentials of information technology
ability to identify illegitimate behavior from a superficial use of technology
knowledge of the social problems connected to information technology and in particular computer literacy and net neutrality

None prerequisite is required

Internet Networks
Right to Privacy, Personal Data Protection, and the European Data Strategy
Electronic Documents and Electronic Signatures
Electronic Payments, Digital Currency, and Cryptocurrencies
E-Commerce
Copyright in the Digital Age
Cybercrime
Blackchain and Smart Contracts
Social Networks
Artificial Intelligence and Robotics
Deterritorialization and Digital Sovereignty
The International Debate on Network Governance
The Dematerialization of Goods

The text can be consulted (at your discretion) in addition to the course text, which can be freely downloaded from this link:

https://books.fupress.com/catalogue/manuale-sulla-protezione-e-circolazione-dei-dati-personali/15848

lesson book:

Il diritto dell'era digitale (2025, sixth edition), by G. Pascuzzi published by Il mulino.
Limited to the parts indicated below. Do not use earlier editions of the handbook, as they are out of date.
Parts to be studied:
ch. 2 par. 3 (pp. 51-57)
ch. 3 paras 2 to 5, p. 74 included (pp. 64-74)
ch. 4 paras 1 to 4 (pp. 84-104) and 6 (pp. 106-113)
ch. 5 par. 1 to 5 (pp. 126-144)
ch. 8 all (pp. 165-175)
ch. 9 par. 1 (pp. 177-188)
ch. 11 par. 1 (pp. 209-215)
ch. 12 par. 1 to 5 (pp. 225-234)
ch. 16 and 17 all (pp. 267 to 287)
ch. 19 par. 1 to 4.2 included (pp. 303-322)
ch. 22, 23 and 24 all (pp. 351-370)

Written and oral exam. The successfully overcoming of the written test (multiple choice test) is a condition for admission to the oral test.
The written test contains questions regarding the whole program discussed during the course and its aim is to verify the complete knowledge of the student about all the topics. The oral test permits the students to clarify some eventual mistakes made in the written exam and to improve their mark.
Since it is a law course, students are not required to be competent in this science; however, they need to learn basic legal grounds necessary for computer operators, from the need to protect personal data - otherwise hard sanctions could be imposed - to the forms of protection for software designers (copyright), and so on. We will deepen some theoretical concepts just put in crisis from the recent US policy regarding the net neutrality.
During the lessons, the professor will involve students in individual and group activities that will allow them to gradually achieve the score necessary to pass the exam.

written and oral

The instructor is responsible for ensuring the authenticity and originality of all examinations and coursework. In cases of suspected academic misconduct, an additional on-site assessment may be required during the exams, which may differ from the standard format.

The written exam consists in 15 multiple-choice questions. Each correct answer is worth 2 points. No answer is considered mistake. Succeeding in the written exam is mandatory to be admitted to the oral exam. To pass the written exam, it is required to give 9 right answers out of 15 questions. The written part of the exam aims to test the basic knowledge.
The oral exam aims to evaluate the knowledge and the comprehension of the most important private law institutions. Also, In this context, the ability of the students to expose the acquired knowledge using a technical and juridical language will be assessed. Assessment Criteria:

28–30 with honours: thorough command of the topics covered in lectures and in the textbooks; ability to identify and organise information according to its relevance; appropriate use of technical terminology.

26–27: good knowledge of the topics covered in lectures and, to a lesser extent, in the textbooks; satisfactory ability to organise information and present it orally; familiarity with technical terminology.

24–25: knowledge of the topics covered in lectures and in the textbooks that is not always in-depth; well-organised oral presentation, though with occasional inaccuracies in the use of technical terminology.

22–23: often superficial knowledge of the topics covered in lectures and in the textbooks; oral presentation lacking in clarity and with insufficient command of technical terminology.

18–21: knowledge of the topics covered in lectures and in the textbooks that is at times incomplete; confused oral presentation, with limited use of technical terminology.

The Course is mainly structured in several frontal lessons.
The active participation of attending students is particularly encouraged, through individual group activities and through interventions during lessons, also with the aim of gradually achieving the grade required to pass the final exam.

Accessibility, Disability and Inclusion
Accommodation and support services for students with disabilities and students with specific learning impairments

Ca' Foscari abides by Italian Law (Law 17/1999; Law 170/2010) regarding support services and accommodation available to students with disabilities. This includes students with mobility, visual, hearing and other disabilities (Law 17/1999), and specific learning impairments (Law 170/2010). If you have a disability or impairment that requires accommodations (i.e., alternate testing, readers, note takers or interpreters) please contact the Disability and Accessibility Offices in Student Services: disabilita@unive.it.