According to the objectives of the course of study, this course aims to provide the fundamental knowledge of Italian law, also in a comparative perspective which is necessary to understand the production phenomenon and the organisations that develop it. Knowledge and understanding: Students should demonstrate a good knowledge of the legal methodology and language. Applying knowledge and understanding: Students should acquire the basic knowledge, of the methodologies for the correct approach to the study of consumer and privacy law, in order to understand and analyze the main legal economical up to date issues. Making judgements: Students should demonstrate the ability to make judgements and express opinions on the areas covered by the program, in specific regarding consumer and privacy legal issues. Learning skills: Students should develop the ability to present, through the appropriate language, the general and specific features of consumer and privacy law. Learning skills: Students should develop the ability to articulate notions of Italian law covered by the program, and also to find autonomously basic legal materials on consumer and privacy law.

Basic knowledge of Italian Law.

The aim of the course is to provide for a general framework of the principal aspects of consumer law and data protection law.

The main materials will be provided during the course and uploaded on MS Teams. Reference book: A. Quarta e G. Smorto, Diritto privato dei mercati digitali, Le Monnier, 2024 (Chapter 4 – Il diritto dei contratti, Chapter 7 – Il regime giuridico dei dati personali e non personali) and A. Barenghi, Il diritto dei consumatori, III edizione, Wolters Kluwer, 2024, limited to the chapters related to the topics of the course.

The course deals with the analysis of the data protection and consumer law in the Italian legal system. The objective is to gain a deeper understanding of privacy and consumer protection policies within the European Union system, as well as the Italian one. The programme will be divided into two sections.
The first section will concentrate on the presentation of the fundamental instruments for the comprehension and resolution of the legal issues associated with the protection of personal data. First of all, the course will offer an examination of the historical evolution of data protection and management, and will proceed to cover a range of other central themes, including the principles and actors of data processing, the rights of data subjects, and potential safeguards and remedies (GDPR Regulation). Furthermore, the course will devote particular attention to data protection issues related to the development of information technologies (digital single market, digital platforms, artificial intelligence, e-commerce).
The second part will instead provide an overview of the principles that underpin consumer protection. In this context, particular attention will be devoted to the origins and the normative evolution of European and Italian law with regard to consumer rights. Furthermore, the specific characteristics of consumer contracts, including information obligations, the right of withdrawal and unfair terms, will be examined in detail. Also the distinctive features of digital contracts, such as the contract of sale and supply of digital goods and services, will be defined. Finally, the concept of producer liability for defective products will be outlined.

After a short introduction of the subject, the course will be based on interactive classes, during which students will be required to read and discuss the materials provided to them. In order to provide a teaching method that is particularly conducive to learning through role-playing activities, moot courts will be organised. Although face-to-face teaching are considered to be fundamental, all lectures will be recorded and made available online as a teaching aid to support the learning of both those who attend face-to-face lectures and those categories of students who are unable to attend.

The exam consists in an oral examination on the issues covered by the textbook and materials given to students. The examination will be divided in three questions. The answer to each question may be graded up to 10 points. The grading will be based upon the accuracy, precision and completeness of the discussion and of the answers to the question. Students will pass the exam if their grade is equal or above 18/30. To obtain the maximum score (30/30 cum laude), students will have to demonstrate in their discussion/answers an excellent knowledge of all the issues investigated.

Quality education; peace justice and strong institutions