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Location Domestic International
Online Session 1 N/A

Unit Summary

Unit type

UG Coursework Unit

Credit points

12

AQF level

7

Level of learning

Advanced

Former School/College

Former School of Law and Justice

Unit aim

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 trade marks 
Topic 4 Designs 
Topic 5 Confidential Information 
Topic 6 Patents 
Topic 7 Plant breeder's rights, circuit layouts, competition and remedies in IP law

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.

GA1: , GA2: , GA3: , GA4: , GA5: , GA6: , GA7:
On completion of this unit, students should be able to: GA1 GA2 GA3 GA4 GA5 GA6 GA7
1 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.
2 demonstrate an understanding of the international and comparative contexts in which legal issues arise.
3 analyse the contemporary significance, distinct nature and function of intellectual property in the digital age.
4 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.
5 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.

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

  1. 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.
    • GA1:
  2. demonstrate an understanding of the international and comparative contexts in which legal issues arise.
    • GA1:
  3. analyse the contemporary significance, distinct nature and function of intellectual property in the digital age.
    • GA1:
  4. 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.
    • GA1:
    • GA4:
  5. 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.
    • GA1:
    • GA5:

Prescribed texts

  • Reynolds, R, Stoianoff, N, Roy, A, 2015, Intellectual Property Text and Essential Cases, 5th, The Federation Press, Sydney. ISBN: 9781862879867.
Prescribed texts may change in future teaching periods.