Undergraduate Module Descriptor

LAW3162: Intellectual Property: Patents

This module descriptor refers to the 2017/8 academic year.

Module Aims

In the module you will examine the legal rules and principles involved in UK patent and trade mark law. In addition to analysing the substantive patent and trade mark laws, you  will consider the underlying rationale of the law. By drawing on a number of legal and non-legal materials in the module you will explore the complex social, economic and political context in which the law operates.

The module aims to encourage you to critically analyse the operation of the law. Registration and similar procedures can encourage a descriptive approach, so this module will ensure that you will be able to place the systems within context. For instance, the development of the relevant IP law is considered in depth so as to make you aware of the landscape of protection, so that the system can be analysed appropriately.

The module therefore aims to encourage you to think critically and analyse the broader policy framework underlying IP laws, to consider whether the system meets its purported aims, to become involved in debate concerning the possible proposals for reform, and consider the means by which the current rules may be applied to new technologies. 

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here – you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills1. critically evaluate and analyse the rules and underlying rationale of aspects of intellectual property law
2. recall and critically consider the different influences upon intellectual works
3. understand some of the challenges facing aspects of copyright law
Discipline-Specific Skills4. integrate and assess information from primary and secondary legal sources using appropriate interpretative techniques;
5. critically analyse the substance & rationale of copyright law
6. identify and analyse problems arising from the manner in which copyright law is currently implemented
Personal and Key Skills7. select, prioritise, analyse and organise your research to a strict deadline, in order to construct original argument
8. plan and undertake tasks, individually and with others, with minimum guidance, to reflect critically on the learning process and make use of feedback
9. become an active learner, and to have an appropriate conception of how to apply what you have learnt in practice