Intellectual Property
| Module title | Intellectual Property |
|---|---|
| Module code | LAW3028 |
| Academic year | 2021/2 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Dr James Griffin (Convenor) Dr Naomi Hawkins (Lecturer) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 12 | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 5 |
|---|
Module description
You will learn about the ways in which the intellectual property system (IP) has developed, and why it operates as it does. In so doing, you will develop skills that will enable you to think about the system in an analytical manner. You will also cover the practical aspects, such as registration procedures where appropriate.
The IP module will also enable students to critically analyse the legal and policy framework for intellectual property law and to consider the effectiveness of the regulatory system, for instance, considering whether the intellectual property system achieves its purported aims.
The module will facilitate lively debate concerning potential proposals for legal reform, particularly in relation to the tests of IP infringement, and the application of the law to new areas such as, for example, 3D printing and biotechnological inventions.
The module will encourage you to pursue further study of the area, by looking at the application of the law to novel situations, and (subject to availability) by the involvement of practitioners during the module.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module aims to examine the legal rules and principles involved in UK Copyright, Trademark and Patent Law. In addition to analysing the substantive copyright, patent and trade mark laws, the module will consider the underlying rationale of the law. By drawing on a number of legal and non-legal materials the module will explore the complex social, economic and political context in which the law operates.
The module aims to encourage you to critically analyse the operation of the law. Registration and similar procedures can encourage a descriptive approach, so this module will ensure that you will be able to place the systems within context. For instance, the development of the law is considered in depth so as to make you aware of the landscape of protection, so that the system can be analysed appropriately.
The module therefore aims to encourage you to think critically and analyse the broader policy framework underlying IP laws, to consider whether the system meets its purported aims, to become involved in debate concerning the possible proposals for reform, and consider the means by which the current rules may be applied to new technologies.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. critically evaluate and analyse the rules and underlying rationale of aspects of IP law;
- 2. understand some of the challenges facing aspects of IP law.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. integrate and assess information from primary and secondary legal sources using appropriate interpretative techniques;
- 4. define complex legal problems, identify their relative significance, and select appropriate methods for investigating and critically evaluating them.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. select, prioritise, analyse and organise your research to a strict deadline, in order to construct original argument;
- 6. plan and undertake tasks, with minimum guidance, and reflect critically on the learning process and complete specified tasks.
Syllabus plan
Whilst the precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover all or some of the following topics:
- Introduction to the principles and theory of IP Law
- Copyright
- Patents
- Trade Marks
- Passing Off
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 48 | 252 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching activities | 28 | 28 x 1 hour lectures |
| Scheduled learning and teaching activities | 8 | 4 x 2 hour seminars |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities | 12 | 8 x 1.5 hour workshops |
| Guided independent study | 120 | Individual reading and lecture preparation |
| Guided independent study | 40 | Workshop and seminar preparation |
| Guided independent study | 92 | Formative and summative assessment preparation |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination (48-hour take-home, open book) | 1.5 hours | 1-6 | Written feedback |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 100 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Examination 1 (48-hour take-home, open book) | 50 | 2 hours | 1-6 | Written feedback |
| Examination 2 (48-hour take-home, open book) | 50 | 2 hours | 1-6 | Written feedback |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination 1 (48-hour take-home, open book) | Examination 1 (48-hour take-home, open book; 2 hours) | 1-6 | August/September reassessment period |
| Examination 2 (48-hour take-home, open book) | Examination 2 (48-hour take-home, open book; 2 hours) | 1-6 | August/September reassessment period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Basic reading:
- Abbe Brown, Smita Kheria, Jane Cornwell and Marta Iljadica, Contemporary Intellectual Property: Law and Policy (5th edn, OUP 2019)
- Lionel Bently, Brad Sherman, Dev Gangjee and Philip Johnson, Intellectual Property Law (5th edn, OUP 2018)
IP Journals:
- European Intellectual Property Law Review (EIPR)
- International Review of Intellectual Property and Competition Law (IIC)
- Intellectual Property Quarterly (IPQ)
- Journal of Intellectual Property Law and Practice (JIPLP)
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 2001 |
| Last revision date | 25/01/2021 |
