2020/21 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

LAW3340 Intellectual Property Law

20 Credits Class Size: 256

Module manager: Dr Cesar Ramirez-Montes
Email: C.J.Ramirez-Montes@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2020/21

Mutually Exclusive

LAW3341 Intellectual Property: Creative and Technology Assets
LAW3342 Intellectual Property: Commercial and Marketing Assets

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

The course will be predominantly 'black letter law' by nature - covering the content and application of the criteria for determining whether unregistered IP rights subsist, whether registered IP rights may be obtained, whether an infringement has occurred and whether any defences are applicable. Socio-legal issues will have a more minor role in relation to the hot topics of music piracy by peer-to-peer file-sharing and the exploitation of celebrities' images.

Objectives

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this module, the student should be able to:
- demonstrate an understanding of the main forms of intellectual property (IP) protection under UK law
- analyse problem questions concerning IP scenarios
- critically analyse the use of IP law in a number of contexts

Syllabus

The course will be predominantly 'black letter law' by nature - covering the content and application of the criteria for determining whether unregistered IP rights subsist, whether registered IP rights may be obtained, whether an infringement has occurred and whether any defences are applicable. Socio-legal issues will have a more minor role in relation to the hot topics of music piracy by peer-to-peer file-sharing and the exploitation of celebrities' images.

Twenty lectures will cover the main forms of IP protection: patents, registered designs, registered trademarks, copyright, design right, database rights, and the tortious actions for passing off and breach of confidence. Seven seminars will build on the learning from the lectures through the discussion of problem-solving scenarios, practical issues and points of legal policy.

Teaching Methods

Delivery type Number Length hours Student hours
Lecture 20 1 20
Seminar 7 1 7
Private study hours 173
Total Contact hours 27
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) 200

Private study

80 hours - compulsory reading for lectures (i.e. 4 hours per lecture) which will provide the necessary background for students to complete the formative essay;
14 hours - seminar preparation (i.e. 2 hours per seminar);
79 hours - recommended reading, self-directed private study and revision

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Progress will be monitored through seminar exercises, a mock exam and a mini essay.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework
Assessment type Notes % of formal assessment
Essay 3,000 word essay 100
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) 100

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading List

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 10/08/2020

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team