Monash University Handbook 2011 Postgraduate - Course

The graduate program in intellectual property law provides advanced offerings in this area for graduates in disciplines other than law. The extensive range of units enables students to develop and enhance their knowledge across the breadth of intellectual property subject matter, including copyright, trade marks, patents for inventions and designs, or to pursue some selected areas in greater depth. A number of units have accreditation from the Professional Standards Board for Patent and Trade Marks Attorneys, which makes the program attractive for those who seek to develop or expand a career in this area. The graduate program focuses upon both a thorough grounding in the fundamental principles of intellectual property law and its practical application as well as addressing advanced and current issues from both a local and international perspective.

The course objectives are those primarily defined by the Professional Standards Board for Patent and Trade Marks Attorneys. 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
• knowledge of further legal subjects relevant to trade mark, patent and design law and practice.

12 credit points

The knowledge requirements for registration as a Patent Attorney or a Trade Marks Attorney in Australia with the Australian Government's Professional Standards Board for Patent and Trade Marks Attorneys can be fulfilled by units available within the intellectual property specialisation. Further information on registration is available at http://www.psb.gov.au.

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

Students must complete one of the following options:

• a minumum of five coursework units in the area of intellectual property. The remaining three coursework units may be taken from the approved list of law units. Refer to 'Areas of Study'.
• four coursework units with at least one unit in the area of intellectual property 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 and a minor thesis of 12,000-15,000 words on an approved topic in the area.

In order to qualify to undertake one of the minor thesis options, a student must have achieved a minimum of 70 per cent in each of the coursework units undertaken. Information on the minor thesis option is available at http://www.law.monash.edu.au/current-students/enrol/re-enrol.html

Additional course requirements and recommendation:

• Students with a degree in a discipline other than law will be required to complete the unit LAW7212 Australian legal system.
• Students with a law degree from a non-Australian jurisdiction must complete the unit LAW7436 Introduction to Australian legal process.
• International students are recommended to undertake the unit LAW7285 Legal research and communications.

For further information regarding law units and specialisations visit

http://www.law.monash.edu.au/postgraduate/units-overview.html

Students are advised that not all units may be available in every year.

For information on the current postgraduate law timetable visit http://www.law.monash.edu.au/current-students/t-tables/index.html

Areas of Study

• Intellectual property

Law postgraduate elective units

• Law

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

Master of Intellectual Property Law