I need a research paper topic for my 3rd year law school scholarly
paper.  I'm looking for something topical and controversial in the
area of contract law or related areas, specifically copyright or
patent law.  Not looking for general subject ideas like "shrinkwrap
licenses on software", but something more specific that can be worked
into a thesis.Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
 Thanks.

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Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 24 Oct 2005 11:56 PDT

Don't mean to be overly Google-centric, but the copyright battle
shaping up between Google and print publishers is going to be bigger
than the whole Napster mess:


http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20051021/wr_nm/google_publishers_dc


This will shape much of the future of online access to materials, I
believe, and would make a fascinating topic for your paper.

Let me know how it looks to you.


pafalafa-ga

I would suggest the effect of recent decisions concerning
"experimental use".  The USSC decision in Merck v Intregra and
Appellate decision in Duke v. Madley (sp.?).  These decisions will
have a profound effect on research at Universities and Private
Companies.

What is your goal? Is it to get published? or to have an impressive
topic for your resume? or to be able to be conservant in current
copyright or patent topics?

I ask because while the other ideas on the board are good they will
get covered by professionals, if they are not already. The law journal
I was on covered both Duke and Merck v. Integra in the past year. If
you want it to get published the article must be timely when it is
finished and not competing with some IP professional.

My goal is publication.  I did not make law review but I did get the
Cali in my first year writing class so I need to use my scholarly
paper to distinguish myself for employment purposes.  Also, I have
seen lawtopic.org, a topic clearinghouse of sorts, but the topic posts
apppear dated.