Master of Intellectual Property Law

Course code: 3374 ~ Course abbreviation: MasterIntPropLaw ~ Total credit points required: 48 ~ 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time ~ Managing faculty: Law

Study mode and course location

On campus (Melbourne city)

Course description

The Master of Intellectual Property Law provides a formal qualification for graduates from non-law disciplines who would like to gain accreditation as a Trade Mark or Patent Attorney. Some units may qualify students for accreditation by the Professional Standards Board for Patent and Trade Marks Attorneys and the Institute of Patent Attorneys. Candidates will obtain a thorough grounding in the fundamental principles of intellectual property law and address advanced issues, including local and international development of laws relating to the protection of intellectual property rights.

Course objectives

The course objectives are those primarily defined by the Professional Standards Board for Patent and Trade Marks Attorneys. Consequently upon successful completion of the course students will have acquired: a detailed understanding of the Australian trade marks and patent and designs systems; an understanding of the required standard of professional conduct of trade marks and patent attorneys; an understanding of the Australian legal system; an overview of intellectual and industrial property and an understanding of the ways in which such property may be protected in Australia; an understanding of the rights, privileges and responsibilities of trade marks and patent attorneys; an understanding of the principles of trade marks, patents and designs systems in Australia; an ability to advise and handle the interests of a client in relation to the prosecution and maintenance of trade mark, patent and design applications; and acquired knowledge of further legal subjects relevant to trade mark, patent and design law and practice.

Course structure

The course comprises eight coursework units, each worth six points. Candidates with a degree in a discipline other than law or candidates with a law degree from a non-Australian jurisdiction will be required to complete the unit LAW7212 (Australian legal system).

Course requirements

Candidates must complete five units offered as part of the Master of Laws specialising in intellectual property. The remaining three units may be taken from any units offered in the masters coursework program. Alternatively, students can elect one of the following options:

four coursework units with at least one unit in the area of intellectual property law and a minor thesis of 25,000-30,000 words on an approved topic in the area.
six coursework units with at least three units in the area of intellectual property law and a minor thesis of 12,000-15,000 words on an approved topic in the area.

The units in the specialisation will be those which are specified from time to time by the faculty board on the recommendation of the Postgraduate Studies Committee of the faculty. For further information regarding specialisations, visit http://www.law.monash.edu.au/postgraduate/units-specialisations.html.

Candidates are able to complete three units offered by the Academy of the Institute of Patent Attorneys (visit http://www.psb.gov.au/patregaccred.htm). Units cover the following topic areas:

Topic F Patent systems
Topic G Drafting patent specifications
Topic H Interpretation and validity of specifications

Professional recognition

Students wishing to be registered with the Professional Standards Board for Patent and Trademark Attorneys should contact that body regarding registration requirements. Visit http://www.psb.gov.au/ for details.

Contact details

Postgraduate program coordinator LLM, telephone +61 3 9641 6206, email graduate@law.monash.edu.au or visit http://www.law.monash.edu.au/postgraduate.