Skip to main content

Study information

Intellectual Property

Module titleIntellectual Property
Module codeLAW3028E
Academic year2021/2
Credits15
Module staff

Dr Naomi Hawkins (Convenor)

Dr James Griffin (Convenor)

Duration: Term123
Duration: Weeks

12

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 you 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, for example, in relation to the tests of copyright infringement, and the application of the law to new areas.

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.

Please note, students must also be on one of the following programmes:

  • INBOUND Semester 1
  • INBOUND Semester 2
  • One Semester Flexible Combined Honours
  • OAS Law (Dresden)
  • One Semester Law

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module aims to examine the legal rules and principles involved in UK copyright law. In addition to analysing the substantive copyright laws, in this module you 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 system within context. For instance, the development of copyright 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 law, 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

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
241260

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities1414 x 1 hour lectures
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities42 x 2 hour seminars
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities64 x 1.5 hour workshops
Guided independent study60Individual reading and lecture preparation
Guided independent study20Workshop and seminar preparation
Guided Independent Study46Formative and summative assessment preparation

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Essay1,250 words1-6Written feedback

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
10000

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Essay1002,500 words1-6Written feedback

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
EssayEssay (2,500 words)1-6August/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)

Key words search

Intellectual property law

Credit value15
Module ECTS

7.5

Module pre-requisites

Please note, students must also be on one of the following programmes:

  • INBOUND Semester 1
  • INBOUND Semester 2
  • One Semester Flexible Combined Honours
  • OAS Law (Dresden)
  • One Semester Law
Module co-requisites

None

NQF level (module)

6

Available as distance learning?

No

Origin date

23/01/2018

Last revision date

07/05/2021