Intellectual property law has deeply impacted how people interact with information, knowledge, symbols, place names etc., and has become an essential area of commercial legal practice. This course first introduces students to the fundamentals of intellectual property, which is followed by an overview of key IP areas, including patents, confidential information, copyright, trademarks, and geographical indications. In each area, the discussion covers the protected subject matter, rights conferred, and the nature of infringement. It approaches these issues with a balanced consideration of stipulations in both international treaties (including the TRIPS Agreement and subsequent trade agreements) and domestic legislation.
This course further covers cutting-edge IP issues at international or domestic levels, including the biopiracy and requirement to disclose sources of genetic resources and related traditional knowledge in patent applications, COVID-related IP Waiver negotiations at the WTO and other multilateral fora, geographical indications in recent trade agreements, and indigenous cultural and intellectual property. Discussion of these issues encourages the students to take an integrated approach to analyse complex IP issues and develop insights to advise different stakeholders to protect their intellectual assets in the context of a globalised market and open innovation.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Synthesise legal issues across different domains of intellectual property and develop strategic and inclusive insights (in particular Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ diverse perspectives) to advise businesses and communities to protect their intellectual assets and promote collaborative and open innovation,
- Solve complex intellectual property problems by synthesising and analysing principles of law relating to patents, confidential information, copyright, trademarks and geographical indications,
- Critically evaluate the nature of debate in the cutting-edge IP issues and their potential impact on societies,
- Propose directions for legal and regulatory reforms at the societal, national and international levels,
- Interpret and communicate theoretical propositions, legal principles, conclusions and professional decisions to legal and non-legal audiences in oral and written formats.
Other Information
N/A
Indicative Assessment
- The proposed means of assessment for this course will provide students with at least two pieces of assessment, including one piece during the semester. More information about the means of assessment, including the relationship between the assessment and the learning outcomes of the course, will be available in the Class Summary and on the course WATTLE page. (100) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
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Workload
- 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.
- Classes offered during semester periods are expected to have three contact hours per week.
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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 two weeks prior to the commencement of the course.
Preliminary Reading
Students must rely on the approved Class Summary which will be posted to the Programs and Courses site approximately two 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 |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $4980 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $6360 |
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.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Summer Session
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1474 | 29 Jan 2024 | 30 Jan 2024 | 16 Feb 2024 | 05 Apr 2024 | Online | View |