Undergraduate Module Descriptor

LAW3028E: Intellectual Property

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.

Module Aims

This module aims to examine the legal rules and principles involved in UK copyright law. In addition to analysing the substantive copyright laws, in this module you will consider the underlying rationale of the law. By drawing on a number of legal and non-legal materials the module 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 system within context. For instance, the development of copyright 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 law, 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 IP law;
2. understand some of the challenges facing aspects of IP law.
Discipline-Specific Skills3. integrate and assess information from primary and secondary legal sources using appropriate interpretative techniques;
4. define complex legal problems, identify their relative significance, and select appropriate methods for investigating and critically evaluating them.
Personal and Key Skills5. select, prioritise, analyse and organise your research to a strict deadline, in order to construct original argument;
6. plan and undertake tasks, with minimum guidance, and reflect critically on the learning process and complete specified tasks.

Indicative Reading List

This reading list is indicative - i.e. it provides an idea of texts that may be useful to you on this module, but it is not considered to be a confirmed or compulsory reading list for this module.

Basic reading:

  • Abbe Brown, Smita Kheria, Jane Cornwell and Marta Iljadica, Contemporary Intellectual Property: Law and Policy (5th edn, OUP 2019)
  • Lionel Bently, Brad Sherman, Dev Gangjee and Philip Johnson, Intellectual Property Law (5th edn, OUP 2018)

IP Journals:

  • European Intellectual Property Law Review (EIPR)
  • International Review of Intellectual Property and Competition Law (IIC)
  • Intellectual Property Quarterly (IPQ)
  • Journal of Intellectual Property Law and Practice (JIPLP)