Studying online
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
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 begins with an overview of all the major regimes and the major international frameworks that shape intellectual property laws nationally and internationally. The unit then briefly explores the essential theoretical foundations of intellectual property rights, and contrasts the laws relating to registered and unregistered trademarks (including the statutory prohibitions on misleading and deceptive conduct and the common law tort of passing off), patents, registered designs, copyright and moral 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) critically 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) critically 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)
- Professor Michael Blakeney and Associate Professor Jani McCutcheon
- Unit rules
- Contact hours
- 3 hours per week
- Text
-
Davison, M. J. Australian Intellectual Property Law, 2nd edn: LexisNexis 2012
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.