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 major global concern, with complex interrelationships between the different forms of intellectual property, treaty law 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 agriculture, medicine and biotechnology; the development of personality rights; enrichment 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 equipped 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:
- recognise, explain and apply the fundamental legal principles relating to confidential information, copyright, patents, designs, trademarks and unfair competition;
- identify, define, analyse and apply principles of law relating to each of these areas of intellectual property to solve complex intellectual property problems;
- outline and summarise the legal, practical and theoretical need to ensure that intellectual property rights remain valid and enforceable;
- identify, define and analyse 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;
- recognise and interpret 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;
- anticipate 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; and,
- define, plan and conduct research with some degree of independence.
Other Information
Classes may be offered in non-standard sessions and be taught on an intensive base with compulsory contact hours (a minimum of 36 hours). Please refer to the LLB timetable for dates. Please contact the ANU College of Law Student Administration Services to request a permission code to enrol in classes offered in non-standard sessions.
Indicative Assessment
- Take-Home Exam (50) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6,7]
- Final Exam (50) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6,7]
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 in non-standard sessions will be taught on an intensive base with compulsory contact hours (approximately 36 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. Students are generally expected to devote at least 10 hours overall per week to this course.
Click here for the LLB Program course list
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. Alternatively, this information will be published in the Program course list when known.
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 | $6000 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1479 | 08 Jan 2024 | 09 Jan 2024 | 19 Jan 2024 | 16 Feb 2024 | Online | View |
