International Intellectual Property (Distance Learning) (P02121)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : LAW-P-LW0042

The purpose of this course is to examine the International Intellectual Property system (IIPS) with a particular focus on how the framework is changing in response to challenges posed by international trade and rapid digital innovations.

The IIPS began developing in the 19th Century in response to the then advances in international trade. As intellectual property laws are territorial, so some mechanism had to be found through which protection could be accorded to authors and inventors as their works were traded abroad. The response, over the ensuing 150 years, was the establishment of a number of international bodies responsible for the development and oversight of a variety of Treaties and Agreements providing both formal and substantive norms which were (and are) in turn translated into domestic law. These measures have had a significant impact on the shape of domestic laws. The development of the Treaties has quickened with the growth in international trade coupled with innovative digital advances. The purpose of this module is to examine the IIPS with a particular focus on patents, copyright and trade marks and within the domains of information and communication and international trade. Having analysed the architecture of the IIPS and considered the ways in which the laws are developed, this module will go on to look in depth at formal and substantive aspects of those Treaties. Particular emphasis will be laid upon the ways in which developments are occurring in response to trade and digital advances.

Entry Requirements

? This course is not available to visting students.

? Costs : Students should have regular and reliable access to the Internet. Print consumables (paper and ink) would be recommended to provide hard copy of some on screen text and materials (e.g. articles).

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Law, (School of Law, Schedule F)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : Semester 1 (Blocks 1-2)

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 10 weeks

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of this module the student will be able to:

Conceptualise the IIPS and understand how the constituent parts fit together

Appreciate the tensions that underlie developments in the IIPS and how these are played out in the international arena

Understand the most important aspects of the IIPS and how that relates to regional and domestic intellectual property laws

Critically comment on the tensions in the IIPS being wrought by international trade and digital information developments

Comment on the utility of the enforcement system through which states are encouraged to meet their international obligations

Asses whether domestic laws conform with the IIPS

Assessment Information

One Essay, 4000 words (60%); two pieces of assessed work (20% each)

Note: Completion of the Certificate, the Diploma and progression through the LLM programme will be subject to participation in and completion of core activities within this module.