LL7183 - Intellectual Property Law (2024/25)
Module specification | Module approved to run in 2024/25 | ||||||||||
Module title | Intellectual Property Law | ||||||||||
Module level | Masters (07) | ||||||||||
Credit rating for module | 20 | ||||||||||
School | Guildhall School of Business and Law | ||||||||||
Total study hours | 200 | ||||||||||
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Assessment components |
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Running in 2024/25(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) |
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Module summary
The purpose of this module is to provide students with a broad understanding of what intellectual property is and the issues attached to the notion of protecting ‘creations of the mind’ with regards to the effect being felt due to new media sources. It will be focusing on English law but will touch upon the international conventions which also providing protection. There will be a number of elements considered, including assignments, licences and international arrangements, contracts, disclosure of confidential information, passing off, web addresses and domain name disputes.
Students will develop their legal writing with use of legislation, common law and EU Law. This module will also test students’ ability critically to analyse case-study based problem questions.
MODULE AIMS
On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:
- analyse basic intellectual property concepts and precedents;
- explain how IP law seeks to balance the interest of the owners of IP and the interests of the wider society;
- critically discuss the legal, social, and cultural context underpinning IP and media law policy;
- understand the relationship between IP and brand protection;
- relate relevant IP concepts and cases in contemporary media management issues and cases;
- understand the current challenges to existing models of IP exploitation in the context of digital interactive environments;
- critically evaluate case study-based problem questions;
- construct legal writing with the employment of media law cases.
Prior learning requirements
No pre-requisites. Not available for Study Abroad.
Syllabus
PART ONE: COPYRIGHT
- The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988
- Copyright Infringement
- Commercial Dealing in Copyright
- The European Union and Brexit
- International Copyright
PART TWO: PATENTS
- Who Owns a Patent?
- Patent Infringement
PART THREE: TRADE MARKS
- The Definition of a Trade Mark
- The Sieckmann Principles
- Unregistrable Marks
- Trade Marks as Assets
- Trade Mark Infringement
- Trade Marks in Electronic Advertising
PART FOUR: DESIGN RIGHTS
- Registered Designs
- Unregistered Designs
PART FIVE: IP DEVELOPMENT RELATED TO IT
- Patents and Information Technology
- Copyright in Computer Programs
- Statutory Rights for Lawful Users of Computer Programs
- Databases
- Intellectual Property and the Internet
- Third Party Facilitators
- Domain Names
- Cyber Squatters
- Defamation and Privacy in the Electronic Age
- Social Media and other Evolving Digital Platforms
PART SIX: THE TORT OF PASSING OFF
- The Elements of the Tort of Passing Off
- Misrepresentation
- Reverse Passing Off
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
Overview
Students will be taught by a combination of online lectures, interactive online seminars, one-to-one supervision, and self-study of a comprehensive module, with students encouraged to read from specified case law and legal journals. Students will be given the opportunity to discuss theoretical issues as well as practical problem solving. Students will be supported in undertaking on-line research using electronic law databases and encouraged to use on line legal resources on a regular basis. There is a virtual learning environment containing handbooks, lecture notes, weblinks, discussion groups, study skills materials and assessment criteria.
Experiential Learning
Students will be encouraged to respond to realistic case-studies relating to the sector, giving written legal opinions to clients in the style of a professional legal advisor. Students will also be able to participate in the extracurricular experiential learning offered within the Law School, including the Pro Bono Clinic and the Mooting Club.
Study Support
Students will have regular access to module tutors by email and by one-to-one video conferences to support their studies. They will also engage with one formative assessment for each module, which will be marked promptly with opportunities for feedback either by email or individual online discussion.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to do the following:
1. Manage a substantial body of legal knowledge focused on intellectual property rights and the GDPR which affect the media sector.
2. Critically evaluate the legal, social, and cultural context underpinning IP and media law policy.
3. Research legal information from paper and IT resources.
4. Synthesise relevant case law, legislation and treaties.
5. Present conflicting arguments and apply the law to problem scenarios relevant to aspects of intellectual property law.
Bibliography
https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/427BBF09-DC23-379B-6247-368FD39276E3.html?lang=en-US&login=1