Unit information: Intellectual Property in 2021/22

Unit name	Intellectual Property
Unit code	LAWDM0022
Credit points	30
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director	Dr. Lee
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	University of Bristol Law School
Faculty	Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Description including Unit Aims

This unit will provide an overview of the different types of intellectual property and their function and justification. It will focus on the UK, international and EU framework for the protection of copyright, trademarks and patents and the implications of harmonization for the enforcement of intellectual property rights.

The main topics covered will be:

• History, function and justification of intellectual property rights
• Foundations of the international and European intellectual property rights system
• Legislation and cases relating to scope of protection and enforcement of copyright, trademarks and patents
• Interaction of European and UK courts
• Challenges posed by harmonization of IP rights

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able:

1. Describe and analyse the main features of the UK Intellectual Property rights system and its relationship to the European and International Property rights system.
2. Explain and evaluate the basic principles of protection and enforcement of copyright, patents and trademarks in UK law.
3. Identify and accurately apply relevant legislation and leading case law to factual scenarios and problems
4. Analyse and compare how UK and EU law are applied to the determination of IP disputes
5. Identify gaps, overlaps and tensions between international, EU and domestic IP laws
6. Evaluate the impact of international and European harmonization of IP rights
7. Identify and think critically about some of the key challenges presented by proposals for reform of IP rights.

Teaching Information

Teaching will be delivered through a variety of asynchronous and synchronous activities

Assessment Information

2 x summative assessments: 1x coursework and 1 x Timed Open Book Assessment with a specified word count

The assessment will assess all of the intended learning outcomes for this unit.

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. LAWDM0022).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.