Internet Giants: The Law and Economics of Media Platforms Syllabus

Overview: This course provides a comprehensive, interdisciplinary examination of how legal and economic frameworks shape the evolution of digital media platforms. Over approximately 50 hours, learners explore landmark antitrust cases, digital disruption across media industries, and regulatory challenges related to network neutrality, copyright, and platform control. The course is structured around real-world case studies involving major tech companies and spans the transformation of music, video, books, and internet infrastructure. Designed for beginners with an interest in law, economics, or technology, it offers deep insights into the power dynamics of internet giants and their societal impact.

Module 1: Introduction to the Course

Estimated time: 1 hours

• Overview of media platforms in the digital age
• Introduction to law, economics, and technology intersections
• Course objectives and structure

Module 2: Microsoft: The Desktop vs. The Internet

Estimated time: 8 hours

• Study of Microsoft’s market power and antitrust investigations
• Software licensing practices and competitive implications
• Browser bundling and its impact on competition
• Legal analysis of the U.S. v. Microsoft case

Module 3: Google Emerges (and the World Responds)

Estimated time: 10 hours

• Examination of Google’s search dominance
• Advertising models and data collection practices
• Antitrust cases against Google globally
• Policy challenges in regulating digital platforms

Module 4: Smartphones

Estimated time: 8 hours

• Legal issues in the smartphone ecosystem
• Patent disputes between major manufacturers
• Platform control and competition between Android and iOS

Module 5: Nondiscrimination and Neutrality

Estimated time: 7 hours

• Network neutrality principles and open internet regulation
• Arguments for and against non-discrimination in internet traffic
• Legal and economic implications of net neutrality policies

Module 6: The Day the Music Died?

Estimated time: 7 hours

• Digital disruption in the music industry
• Licensing models and copyright enforcement
• Digital rights management and piracy challenges

Module 7: Video: Listening and Watching

Estimated time: 7 hours

• Legal and economic structures of streaming platforms
• Case studies on Netflix and traditional broadcasters
• Market shifts due to on-demand video services

Module 8: The Mediated Book

Estimated time: 6 hours

• Transition from print to eBooks
• Amazon’s role in digital publishing
• Legal disputes over pricing and distribution

Module 9: Course Review

Estimated time: 2 hours

• Review of key legal cases and economic concepts
• Summary of lessons across media sectors
• Integration of interdisciplinary perspectives

Module 10: Internet Giants: Experimental

Estimated time: 0 hours

• Brief insights on emerging technologies and digital trends

Module 11: Continuing Legal Education Info

Estimated time: 0 hours

• Information for legal professionals on CLE credit eligibility

Prerequisites

• Familiarity with basic concepts in law or economics is helpful
• Interest in technology and media industries
• No formal degree required

What You'll Be Able to Do After

• Understand legal and economic frameworks governing digital media platforms
• Analyze landmark antitrust cases involving tech giants like Microsoft and Google
• Evaluate issues around network neutrality, copyright, and digital privacy
• Assess how technology reshapes music, video, and publishing industries
• Apply interdisciplinary insights to policy, legal, or tech innovation contexts