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LAW-20047 - Module Specification
School of Law
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

For academic year: 2023/24 Last Updated: 01 December 2023

LAW-20047 - Controversies in intellectual property law
Coordinator: Eve Lakin Tel: +44 1782 7 34175
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 5
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 733218

Programme/Approved Electives for 2023/24

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

LAW-10039 (Legal Essentials)

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2023/24

This module will introduce you to key aspects of the UK intellectual property regime including trademarks, copyright, design rights and patents. You will also consider some of the theories used to justify the intellectual property rights regime and will be encouraged to critically evaluate such justifications. The module will encourage you to engage with the moral and social implications of intellectual property rights protection.
The module will blend practical and theoretical aspects making it relevant to those of you looking to practice in the commercial legal environment, as well as those intending to continue to future academic study.

Aims
This module aims to introduce students to:
the notion of intellectual property;
intellectual property law in the UK and the rights it guarantees;
the theories underpinning the existence of intellectual property rights; and
critical examination of the moral/ethical implications of such rights.

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/law-20047/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

1
1
1

Study hours

11 x 2 hour workshops = 22 hours
Seminar preparation = 50 hours
Revision = 50 hours
Formative Assessment Prep = 28 hours

TOTAL = 150 hours

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Open Book Examination weighted 100%
A single online open book assessment with two parts: (a) problem question; and (b) essay question
Students will be required to: (a) advise a hypothetical client on a problem scenario testing their knowledge of Intellectual Property Law in the UK (answer one question from a choice of two); (1,250 word count) and (b) write an essay which critically evaluates UK intellectual property law and the rights it confers (answer one question from a choice of two) (1,250 word count). The assessment will focus on the four types of UK IPR discussed on the module. From the 28-hour window students are expected to spend approximately 3-4 hours on the assessment (active working time).

Please note that for the 2022/23 Academic Year programmes may be adapted to operate in accordance with a flexible, digital approach. This means that there may be some changes made to how modules are delivered and assessed. The latest information will be provided to you by your School in module handbooks. We endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes and details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/student-terms-and-conditions/

Last Updated: 01 December 2023