Course content

This course is designed to provide a deeper understanding of the rationale, implementation and implications as well as impacts of new regulations in the digital economy. The student acquires essential knowledge and skills emphasizing compliance with regulations critical to the development of new products and services, software development, and the adherence to Information Security Management Systems (ISMS) and risk management processes.

Course content:

- Concepts in Law and Economics of relevance for understanding regulatory logic of modern digital legislations, including digital and technology neutrality, organization and incentives in two-sided platforms, anti-trust laws, IPR laws.

- Introduction to key concepts and regulations such as data network neutrality, technology neutrality, the IPR regulatory framework and frameworks of standards, including cybersecurity standards.

- Analyses of European digital legislations (rationale, intervention logics, ex ante impact assessment), and analysis of relevant lawsuits. Significance focus on cybersecurity regulations (NIS2, CRA, CER) as well as, Data Digital Act, Data Services Act, Data Act and AI Act.

- Implications and impacts of these regulations for product, service and software developers, digital entrepreneurs, network architecture officers and for cybersecurity officers, in particular compliance officers.

Learning outcome

The main goal of the course is to learn how legal frameworks, regulations, governance, standards, and the societal context in which they are developed impact digital business. The course has a focus on both the historical development, present issues, and future evolution of Internet law and business. The course is based on Norwegian, EU, and occasionally on US legislations, regulatory frameworks and lawsuits.

This course supports the UN Sustainability Development Goals (SDG): 4 (Quality education), 8 (Decent work and economic growth), 9 (Industry, innovation, and infrastructure), 12 (Responsible consumption and production).

Detailed learning goals are described below.

Knowledge

After completing this course, the student shall have a:

• understanding of the legal frameworks underpinning business operations in communication technologies, network systems, AI-applications and the Internet.
• good understanding of national and international regulatory logic in regulations pertinent to digital economy in general and to communication technologies and cybersecurity in particular
• deep understanding of the rational of regulatory intervention in the digital economy
• good understanding of how standards and IPR impact the digital economy
• deep understanding of how key legislations and lawsuits impact the evolution of the digital business models, communication technologies
• good understanding of cybersecurity related laws, regulations and legislations
• advanced knowledge on legal, regulatory and legislative compliance requirements, recommendations and best practice
• good understanding of digital security and preparedness policies in EU and in Norway

Skills

After completing this course, the student shall be able to:

• Explain and communicate the implications of regulations to users, stakeholders and to managers
• Lead the development and adjustment of compliant digital solutions
• Lead the development of cybersecurity and privacy policies that complement organizational needs

General competence

After completing this course, the student shall be able to:

• perform a peer review of student assignments.
• being able to write academic paper within relevant topics to their own specialization
• discuss and present advanced academic material and own work in a professional manner.

Learning methods and activities

The course features lectures, exercises, analyses of case studies and group discussions every week. Physical presence at one of the campuses Gjøvik or Trondheim is required to attend the teaching activities.

Compulsory assignments

• Mid-term-draft

Specific conditions

Recommended previous knowledge

None

Required previous knowledge

None

Course materials

The course builds on a number of academic papers and/or book chapters within the fields of digital law, digital economics, compliance requirements of regulations as well as, on legal and regulatory texts and occasionally also on specific court cases. The syllabus is updated every year.

Credit reductions