Module description:
Intellectual Property Law examines the legal protections available for new ideas and new products. This is a legal area where the law is constantly responding to technological developments. Students will gain knowledge of the main legislative instruments at both a national and international level, and develop familiarity with the major cases and developments in these areas. Reference will be made to a number of contemporary texts and sources, both electronic or library based.
Outline of seminar topics:
- Theoretical foundations and history of IP (esp. Locke, Hegel and Kant)
- Historical developments of IP law from the early modern period
- The national and international frameworks of intellectual properties
- Copyright: categories of works, criteria for protection, authorship & originality, moral & economic rights, infringement & defences, remedies, and international copyright (TRIPS, WIPO etc.)
- Trademarks; registered trademarks, international and community registration & requirements, rights & infringement, unregistered trademarks & passing off
- Contemporary issues