Monash University Handbook 2010 Postgraduate - Course

The Master of Laws (Intellectual Property) is ideal for law graduates who would like to gain accreditation as a Trade Mark or Patent Attorney. It is also relevant for those who wish to advance their professional expertise in the evolving area of intellectual property law.

The course is for students who wish to:

• upgrade knowledge and keep abreast of local and international developments of laws relating to the protection of intellectual property rights
• obtain a thorough grounding in the fundamental principles of intellectual property
• gain accreditation as a trade mark attorney and credit for units recognised by the Professional Standards Board for Patent and Trade Marks Attorneys.

12 credit points

Some units may qualify students for accreditation by the Professional Standards Board for Patent and Trade Marks Attorneys and the Institute of Patent Attorneys. Students wishing to register with the Professional Standards Board for Patent and Trademark Attorneys should contact that body regarding registration requirements at http://www.psb.gov.au.

The course comprises eight 6-point coursework units, or coursework units and a minor thesis.

This course may be taken in one of three ways:*,**

(a.) eight coursework units, five of which must be taken from the intellectual property law specialisation

(b.) four coursework units, two of which must be taken from the intellectual property specialisation, and a minor thesis of 25,000-30,000 words on an approved topic in the area

(c.) six coursework units, four of which must be taken from the intellectual property specialisation, 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-overview.html.

* Candidates with a law degree from a non-Australian jurisdiction will be required to complete the unit LAW7436 (Introduction to legal process).

** In order to qualify to undetake one of the minor thesis options, a student mush have achieved a minimum of 70 per cent in each of the units undertaken.

Postgraduate unit offerings

The faculty endeavours to offer a broad range of graduate units each year across many areas of specialisations and practice areas. The units published have been approved for the purpose of the coursework component in the postgraduate programs.

Units are offered on a rotational basis. Students should check the current timetable to determine which units are available each year. The faculty reserves the right not to offer in a particular year any of the published units if it appears there are insufficient enrolments or if there are other over-riding considerations. Enrolment quotas may have to be imposed in respect of the listed units.

For further information visit http://www.law.monash.edu.au/postgraduate/units-overview.html.

Thesis requirement

Candidates are required to submit a completed thesis proposal form to the postgraduate studies office (forms are available from the office). Students are encouraged to discuss their proposal with members of academic staff. If required, the chair, Postgraduate Studies Committee, will assist in recommending an appropriate member of staff.

Candidates must complete the thesis at a standard comparable to legal writings found in a learned law journal. For information on the requirements which must be met with respect to the certification of theses prior to submission for examination, contact the postgraduate program coordinator.

Students may exit with a Graduate Diploma in Law (Intellectual Property) providing all requirements for that award have been met.

Master of Laws (Intellectual Property)