Intellectual property may be thought of as different forms of legal rights over creativity or innovation. Within Australia, the main forms of intellectual property protected, and the focus of this course, are statutory rights relating to Copyright, Patents, Designs and Trade Marks, as well as rights relating to confidentiality and unfair competition. Intellectual Property is also a global concern, with complex interrelationships between the different forms of Intellectual Property and the process of reform of those rights. In doing so, this course will provide opportunities for students to explore key policy themes: the globalisation of trade; the rise of information technology; the scientific revolutions in agricutlture, medicine and biotechnology; the development of personality rights; enrighment of a Creative Commons; and the protection of traditional knowledge and culture. Intellectual Property is an incredibly dynamic and controversial area of law. Being able to sift through the commentary and recent developments to gauge their effect is vital. This course will therefore also attempt to ensure students are equippped to understand and respond to changes in intellectual property and able to contribute to the process of reform.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Synthesise and apply the fundamental legal principles relating to confidential information, copyright, patents, designs, trademarks and unfair competition.
- Critically analyse and apply principles of law relating to each of these areas of intellectual property to solve complex intellectual property problems;
- Critically reflect on the legal, practical and theoretical need to ensure that intellectual property rights remain valid and enforceable;
- Evaluate and apply theoretical knowledge of ownership rights and marketing protection under intellectual property law as applicable to information, ideas, new products and product marketing to solve complex intellectual property problems
- Review current and emerging issues, including theoretical issues, relating to the intellectual property protection, including those relating to indigenous knowledge or culture, information technology especially the distribution of material on the internet, biotechnology and international trade;
- Judge and subject to critical theoretical and legal analysis arguments relating to the development and reform of intellectual property right institutions and their likely impact on creativity and innovation
- Undertake intellectual property law research and present findings using a variety of materials and sources.
Indicative Assessment
- 1. Research essay (3000 words) (50) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6,7]
- 2. Take-home exam (40) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]
- 3. Class participation (10) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
Classes offered during semester periods are expected to have 3 contact hours per week.
Classes offered in non-standard sessions will be taught on an intensive base with compulsory contact hours (approximately 26 hours of face to face teaching). The course will also require advanced preparation through assigned readings. In total, it is anticipated that the hours required for completion of this course (class preparation, teaching and completion of assessment) will not exceed 120 hours.
Click here for the LLM Masters Program timetable.
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Students must rely on the approved Class Summary which will be posted to the Programs and Courses site approximately 2 weeks prior to the commencement of the course.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 34
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2021 | $4410 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2021 | $5880 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
