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Unit of Study LAWS2020 - Intellectual Property (2022)

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Unit Snapshot

Unit description

Examines copyright, patents, trade-marks and industrial designs, with the aim of fostering a thorough understanding of the various systems and legal principles which underpin the protection of intellectual property. Cultivates an appreciation of the complex, challenging and often controversial issues, such as the ethical dilemmas posed by the patenting of new life forms. Encourages an understanding of the increasingly important role played by international conventions and agreements, in the protection of intellectual property in markets overseas.

Unit content

Topic 1 Introduction to the protection of intellectual property 
Topic 2 Copyright
Topic 3 Passing off and trademarks
Topic 4 Designs
Topic 5 Confidential Information
Topic 6 Patents
Topic 7 Plant breeder’s rights, circuit layouts, competition and remedies in IP law

Availabilities

Location Domestic International
Online
Session3
Session3

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

analyse the contemporary significance, distinct nature, and function of intellectual property in the digital age, in international and comparative contexts.

evaluate and apply legal principles relevant to the protection of intellectual property as they pertain to copyright, patents, trademarks including domain names, designs and common law actions such as confidential information and passing off.

critically evaluate the interface and potential linkage between intellectual property and (a) the principles and concepts of protection of the cultural environment; and (b) public policy.

research, identify and explore hypotheses for accommodating the economic, social, and political dimensions of intellectual property protection, such as the scope of digital copyright and the ethical dilemmas posed by the patenting of transgenic inventions.

Prescribed learning resources

Prescribed Texts
  • Reynolds, R, Stoianoff, N, Roy, A, 2015, Intellectual Property Text and Essential Cases, 5th edn, The Federation Press, Sydney. ISBN: 9781862879867.

Prescribed Learning Resources may change in future Teaching Periods.