UWA Handbook 2025

Unit Overview

Description

This unit is designed to introduce students to the major intellectual property law regimes. Intellectual property is a dynamic area of law which governs most forms of creativity and plays an important role across an incredibly broad spectrum of industry, science, design, technology and culture. It impacts everyone in their personal and professional lives, irrespective of their interests or occupations. It is therefore an essential unit for those seeking to better understand how intellectual property is protected and exploited, and of course those who wish to gain specialist expertise in intellectual property law.

The unit gives an overview of all the major intellectual property law regimes, namely the laws relating to registered and unregistered trademarks (including the common law tort of passing off), patents, registered designs, copyright and moral rights. It also briefly explores the essential theoretical foundations of intellectual property rights.

The unit takes an Australian focus but also engages with the international instruments which shape intellectual property law globally, and may undertake select comparisons of foreign intellectual property law. It focuses on the essential principles of intellectual property law, policy and practice, and also explores emerging issues in intellectual property law.

Credit

6 points

Offering
(see Timetable)

Availability	Location	Mode
Semester 1	UWA (Perth)	Face to face

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) demonstrate, at an advanced and integrated level, knowledge of (a) the nature and purpose of the laws relating to registered and unregistered trademarks, patents, registered designs, copyright and moral rights; (b) the kinds of expression which may be eligible for protection under these rules; (c) the basic features of the international rules governing the protection of intellectual property and the way in which they shape domestic and international laws and (d) policy and reform issues in relation to the regulation of intellectual property rights in Australia and in select foreign jurisdictions; (2) demonstrate (a) the ability to reflect upon and respond to ethical issues arising in intellectual property law; and (b) a developing ability to exercise judgment; (3) identify and articulate complex intellectual property issues; apply legal reasoning to hypothetical fact scenarios and solve problems relating to the subsistence, ownership, exploitation and infringement of intellectual property rights; (c) critically analyse and evaluate (both orally and in writing) issues of policy, theory and reform in relation to the regulation of intellectual property rights in Australia and in select foreign jurisdictions; and (d) engage in critical analysis of case law and application of statutory interpretation; (4) identify, research, evaluate and synthesise factual, legal and policy issues on selected and contemporary topics in intellectual property law; and (5) communicate in tutorials and lectures in ways that are effective, appropriate and persuasive for legal and non-legal audiences.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) tutorial work; (2) research essay; and (3) examination. Further information is available in the unit outline.

Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Unit Coordinator(s)

Nyssa Bull

Unit rules

Prerequisites

Enrolment in 20820 Juris Doctor
and LAWS4101 Foundations of Law and Lawyering
and LAWS4102 Criminal Law
and LAWS4103 Contract
and LAWS4104 Property
and LAWS4106 Torts
and LAWS4107 Land Law
and LAWS4108 Foundations of Public Law ,

and LAWS4109 Legal Theory and Ethics
or LAWS4110 Legal Interpretation

For all other students: No prerequisites

Incompatibility

LAWS3338 Introduction to Intellectual Property

Advisable prior study

LAWS4104 Property

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prescribed
textbook
information will
be provided in
the Unit Outline
and Unit readings
on LMS.