Introductory description

This module explores a range of key issues in contemporary intellectual property law, incl. the main categories of patent, copyright and trade marks. It provides students with an understanding of the main concepts in intellectual property law and shows how they are used in social, political, and commercial contexts.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Session 1: An introduction to IP law in context. This session provides an introduction to theoretical aspects of IP systems with a reference to different instruments of IP (e.g. patents, trade marks, copyrights, geographical indications, etc.)
Session 2: Patents: Private Rights and the Global Publics. We will examine in depth the notion of public and private in underlying justification for patents
Session 3: Patents: TRIPS Agreement, Access to Health.
Session 4: What is the value of intellectual property? Value and valuation of intellectual property.
Session 5: Copyright: facsimiles, reproductions and the question of aura.
Session 6: ‘Surrogate’ copyrights: museums, artefacts and restitution
Session 7: Precarious and immaterial labour in the attention economy
Session 8: Brands and logos: trade marks “as a way of fixing things”
Session 9: Essay plan presentations and Q&A. Revision lecture.

Learning outcomes

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

• Students will gain an introductory knowledge of the three main fields of intellectual property rights: patents, copyright and trade marks.
• Students will familiarize themselves with global policy issues and political, economic, cultural social problems associated with the expanding spectrum of subject matter under intellectual property and the scope of intellectual property rights.
• Students will develop a deep understanding concepts, principles and doctrines of intellectual property rights and their justifications.
• Students will acquire a deep understanding of the theory, history and contexts of intellectual property rights and some of the contemporary policy issues in which they are implicated.
• Students will be able to identify and apply primary and secondary sources relevant to a given legal issue, and to be able to use them for developing informed and critical analyses.
• Students will be able to write a critical and well-researched piece of work on specific aspects of intellectual property.
• Students will be able to practice and develop their presentation and legal writing skills by means of weekly presentations and group activities.

Indicative reading list

A selection of indicative reading:

• M. Biagioli, P. Jaszi & M. Woodmansee (eds), Making and Unmaking of Intellectual Property. Creative Production in Legal and Cultural Perspective (Chicago, 2011)
• C. Hayden, When Nature Goes Public. The Making and Unmaking of Bioprospecting in Mexico (Princeton, 2003)
• N. Klein, No Logo (Picador, 2000)
• C. Lury, Brands. The Logos of Global Economy (Routledge, 2004)
• B. Sherman & L. Bently, The Making of Modern Intellectual Property Law (Cambridge, 1999)
• K. Sunder Rajan, Biocapital (Duke, 2006)

Subject specific skills

No subject specific skills defined for this module.

Transferable skills

No transferable skills defined for this module.