Intellectual Property

Module title	Intellectual Property
Module code	LAW3028F
Academic year	2021/2
Credits	15
Module staff	Dr James Griffin (Convenor)

Duration: Term	1	2	3
Duration: Weeks		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 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; and
copyright.

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

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
24	126

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	14	14 x 1 hour lectures
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	4	2 x 2 hour seminars
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	6	4 x 1.5 hour workshops
Guided Independent Study	60	Individual reading and lecture preparation
Guided Independent Study	20	Workshop and seminar preparation
Guided Independent Study	46	Formative and summative assessment preparation

Formative assessment

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Essay	1250 words	1-6

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
100	0	0

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed
Essay	100	2500 words	1-6
	0
	0
	0
	0
	0

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
Essay	Essay (2500 words)	1-6

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 value	15
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
NQF level (module)	6
Available as distance learning?	No
Origin date	12/11/2021
Last revision date	12/11/2021