Intellectual Property Law examines the legal protections available for new ideas and new products. This is one area where the law is constantly responding to technological developments. The module may cover a wide range of topics including:
The national and international frameworks of intellectual properties
Copyright; categories of works, criteria for protection, authorship & originality, moral & economic rights, infringement & defences, remedies, digital copyright (databases, internet and software) and international copyright (TRIPS, WIPO etc)
Trademarks; registered trademarks, international and community registration & requirements, rights & infringement, unregistered trademarks & passing off
Patents; scope & objectives, novelty & `the inventive step', infringement & EU initiatives and biotechnology.
Contemporary Issues in IP; patent, copyright and trademark current issues & reform.
Students will also gain knowledge of the main legislative instruments at both a national and international level, and develop familiarity with the major cases in these areas.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module students should be able to:
Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of key principles relating to Intellectual Property Law;
Evaluate the legal and policy issues addressed;
Evaluate and participate in legal arguments in context;
Competently express legal analysis in a succinct and relevant manner;
Make intelligent use of standard paper and electronic resources to locate relevant and up-to-date information on the issues covered.
