| Unit name | Introduction to Intellectual Property |
|---|---|
| Unit code | LAWD20043 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | I/5 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Lee |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None. |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None. |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | University of Bristol Law School |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Why is this unit important?
Intellectual Property (IP) Law is an umbrella term for different areas of law, including but not limited to copyright law, trade mark law and patent law. It is concerned with protecting and enforcing rights over creations of the mind, such as novels, songs, films, computer programs, fashion, pharmaceuticals, genetically modified organisms, and trade symbols, for example, the Nike ‘swoosh’ logo. While IP rights encourage and foster creativity and innovation and the continued production of intellectual goods, it is crucial to understand that the same rights restrict access from those in most need of such goods. Underpinning any study of IP law thus involves an understanding of the conflict of interests between the creators and the users of intellectual creations. For example, while a patent over a life-saving drug secures economic returns for the drug manufacturer, which help to recoup R&D costs, it also commands a price which is prohibitive, locking out access to the poorest. Similarly, the poorest countries may find access to textbooks and other essential educational material impeded by stringent copyright laws. While IP owners argue for ever expanding IP rights, consumers of these goods campaign for greater access. The understanding of IP laws and the debates which surround IP laws have only become more critical in the informational age that we live in today.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
This optional unit provides an overview of the UK/EU intellectual property regime, focusing on the legal instruments and principles relating to, but not limited to, copyright, trade marks and patents in the UK and EU, with reference to international IP treaties as well as other national IP regimes. This will complement your learning in other units in private and commercial law, in particular IT law.
An overview of content
This unit provides an overview and critical assessment of the following aspects of IP law:
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit?
You will develop a sound understanding and knowledge of how copyright, trade mark and patent laws operate and apply through an in-depth discussion and analysis of relevant legislation and case-law. You will become aware of the nuanced debates which surround competing claims to IP rights and how IP rights are managed in today’s digital world. At the end of the unit, you will develop a greater appreciation of the role that IP laws play in addressing wider issues of inequality in relation to access to essential goods and information. The unit will assist in providing you with the foundational knowledge necessary for an eventual career involving intellectual property or related areas such as media law and IT law, either in practice or in-house at media, entertainment or technology companies.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this unit a successful student will be able to:
Apart from the formative assessment activities already highlighted above which all serve to support your learning, the unit will utilise a wide variety of different teaching and learning methods. These range from asynchronous activities, such as suggested reading and online interactive MCQs, to in-person activities such as group work, mock trade mark opposition hearings, class presentations as well as more traditional lectures/discussions during lectures and seminar sessions. The wide variety of learning activities will cater to different learning styles, help develop your collaborative and communication skills and will encourage discussion of IP issues in a safe and supportive setting.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
In general, formative assessments will come in different formats throughout the unit e.g. group exercises in lectures and seminar settings, asynchronous activities on Blackboard etc.
Students will also receive one substantive formative assessment (not more than 1000 words) which will consist of two short problem questions or a longer problem question, to be attempted individually or in groups during a seminar. The law school standard marking criteria and tutor marking guide will be provided to students for peer marking of responses to the assessment, also to take place in class during the same seminar. Tutors will be on hand to guide students on the assessment as well as the marking exercise. A general feedback lecture will also be provided following the seminar. The formative assessment, which will not contribute to your final mark, is designed to prepare students for the summative assessment, which is a Timed Assessment in which students have to attempt two questions, one of which must be a compulsory problem question.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
The summative assessment will be a single Timed Assessment (100%) with a total word count of 3000 words. It will comprise a selection of problem and essay questions, from which students must attempt two questions (1500 words per question), one of which must be a problem question. The assessment will assess all ILO for this unit.
When assessment does not go to plan:
When a student fails the unit and is eligible to resubmit, the unit will be reassessed on a like-for-like basis. The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessment required for credit in the usual way.
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. LAWD20043).
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 University 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. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
