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Study information

Intellectual Property Law

Module titleIntellectual Property Law
Module codeLAWM192
Academic year2024/5
Credits15
Module staff

Dr Mariela De Amstalden (Convenor)

Duration: Term123
Duration: Weeks

11

Number students taking module (anticipated)

20

Module description

In the module, you will learn to critically examine how intellectual property law (IPL) emerged and developed to gain insights about key contemporary debates -from access to patented medicines to trademarked goods in the metaverse. In doing so, you will develop the necessary skills to analyse in detail selected challenges presented to and by the current intellectual property law system from an interdisciplinary and global/comparativist perspective.

The IPL module is designed to be highly interactive to facilitate the continuous debate and exchange of ideas. It will explore, where relevant, options for legal transformation in view of rapidly evolving societal demands, providing space to consider a wide range of issues, with an emphasis on tensions between private and public law (especially as regards public policy exceptions). This module will be of interest to students considering work or pursuing further research in novel areas of intellectual property law.

While this is not a requirement, it is highly recommended that students have studied intellectual property law and public/private international law at undergraduate level.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The IPL module aims at critically examining novel and emerging areas of intellectual property law. Selected contemporary areas will be particularly relevant to those with a broad interest in international commercial/economic law -including dispute resolution, technology, competition/antitrust- and to students interested in working on interdisciplinary matters involving IPL human rights, public health and food/agriculture.

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 IPL;
  • 2. Understand selected contemporary challenges in IPL;

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 3. Use internationally relevant legal and non-legal materials relevant to IPL, using appropriate interpretative techniques;
  • 4. Identify and solve complex legal problems, asses their significance, and select appropriate methods for critically evaluating them;

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 5. Select, prioritise, critically analyse and present research in order to construct original arguments in assessments and teaching sessions;
  • 6. Plan and undertake tasks independently, while reflecting critically on the learning process.

Syllabus plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:

  • Introduction to the principles underlying Intellectual Property Law
  • International laws for Intellectual Property Law: Berne Convention, Paris Convention and TRIPS
  • Trademark Law
  • Patent Law
  • Passing Off and Geographical Indications
  • Copyright Law
  • Digital Intellectual Property Law
  • Specialist topics (e.g.: software copyright, artificial intelligence (AI) patenting, non-fungible tokens (NFT) as trademarks).

 

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

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
201300

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching2010 x 2-hour seminars
Guided Independent Study60Preparation for scheduled learning and teaching sessions (including pre-reading and the completion of learning activities).
Guided Independent Study20Formative assessment preparation
Guided Independent Study50Summative assessment preparation

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Essay 11000 words1-6Individual written 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
Essay 21002000 words1-6Individual written feedback

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

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
Essay 2 (2000 words)Essay 2 (2000 words)1-6Referral/Deferral period

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

  • Brown, Kheria, Cornwell & Iljadica, Contemporary Intellectual Property, 6th edition (OUP 2023)

Indicative learning resources - Other resources

  • Karapapa and McDonagh Intellectual Property Law (OUP 2019) Bently, Sherman, Gangjee, and Johnson, Intellectual Property Law, 6th edition (OUP 2022)

Key words search

Intellectual property law, intellectual property rights

Credit value15
Module ECTS

7.5

Module pre-requisites

None

Module co-requisites

None

NQF level (module)

7

Available as distance learning?

No

Origin date

12/04/2024

Last revision date

12/04/2024