LWMCIP: Contemporary Issues in Intellectual Property Law

Module code: LWMCIP

Module provider: School of Law

Credits: 20

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Ms Sharon Sinclair-Graham, email: sharon.sinclair-graham@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module provides advanced knowledge of international intellectual property law, with references to comparative intellectual property law where appropriate. This module explores intellectual property law through the lens of contemporary debates informed by the latest research. The module will invite students to engage critically with mainstream IP topics such as the role and impact of intellectual property law, copyright law, trade marks and patents.

This module aims to provide students with advanced knowledge and critical reflections on targeted areas of international intellectual property regimes. The module also aims to enable students to appreciate and critically assess both the practical operation of these areas of intellectual property law in light of wider societal debates.

Students will be encouraged to critically assess statutory provisions and relevant case law that govern these areas of intellectual property law, as well as the rationales justifying particular doctrines and the effects of the practical operation of these doctrines.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the key legal issues of international intellectual property law;  
2. Demonstrate understanding and the ability to critically appreciate the presence or absence of international harmonisation, and the ability to critically appreciate the rationale for offering minima of protection at an international level, or not; 
3. Demonstrate the ability to critically discuss the rationale and impact of intellectual property rights on key contemporary or societal debates  
4. Demonstrate the ability to ascertain the substantial laws from primary and secondary sources between different levels of jurisdictions (supranational; national; comparative) 

In addition to those listed in the School’s ‘core skills statement’, the module will encourage the development of: 

• High-level oral communication skills through reflective, analytical class discussion. 
• Advanced critical reading skills in relation to primary and/or secondary sources 

Module content

The module covers areas of intellectual property subject to international harmonisation or application cross-border. The discussions will involve comparative approaches to intellectual property rights where relevant. We explore each area of intellectual property law from the perspective of a contemporary case study inviting critical reflection on the application of the law in light of ethical considerations.  

The topics that will be discussed in this class may include:  

• Copyright and the digital public domain 
• Trade mark law 
• Patent law
• Traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions.

Topics discussed in the class will be adapted to reflect current debates in international intellectual property law 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching in this module is designed to provide students with a range of resources on which they can draw in their learning. The main elements are: 

• A list of required and recommended readings, videos or podcasts, with notes and questions that will be used to guide class discussion and reflection. 
• Eleven 2-hour seminars. Seminars are discussion-based classes. This includes seminars dedicated to receiving formative feedback.  
• Assessed work that will be used to develop students’ skills and knowledge. 

Study hours

At least 22 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

One live or pre-recorded presentation (optional) 

Reassessment

Additional costs