LAW5318 - International aspects of intellectual property - 2017

The law of intellectual property is becoming increasingly international. The TRIPs Agreement, part of the WTO framework, has forced developing and developed nations to heighten the level of intellectual property protection. In addition, a large number of specific international treaties has set high standards for national states to comply with. The process of harmonisation at the European level provides additional norms of international IP protection. Subjects treated include: copyright law and moral rights, neighbouring rights, trademark law, geographical indications, traditional cultural expressions and IP enforcement.

On completion of this unit students will be able to

• apply knowledge and understanding of the bases for the international protection of intellectual property rights with creativity and initiative to new situations in professional practice;
• investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories in relation to the evolution of new international norms in relation to intellectual property;
• conduct research into the relationship between international protection of intellectual property rights and wider questions of international trade relations based on knowledge of appropriate research principles and methods; and
• use cognitive, technical and creative skills to generate and evaluate at an abstract level complex ideas and concepts relevant to international aspects of intellectual property.

Research Assignment - outline: 30%

Class presentation: 10%

Research Assignment - final (4,500 words): 60%

24 contact hours per semester (either intensive, semi-intensive or semester long, depending on the Faculty resources, timetabling and requirements)