Unit information: Intellectual Property in 2008/09

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Unit name Intellectual Property
Unit code LAWD30014
Credit points 40
Level of study H/6
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director Mrs. Norman
Open unit status Not open
Pre-requisites

None

Co-requisites

None

School/department University of Bristol Law School
Faculty Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Description including Unit Aims

The unit will cover the justifications for intellectual property rights; sources of intellectual property law; remedies for the infringement of intellectual property rights. The nature, function and use of trade marks; common law protection; absolute and relative grounds for refusal and invalidity of registered marks; infringement and defences to infringement including exhaustion of rights. The purpose of the patent system; application procedure; the role of specification and claims; the role of the skilled addressee; rights of ownership and exploitation. Patentability; patent infringement. Breach of confidence as an alternative to 'formal' categories of intellectual property and its significance in creating a potential right of privacy. The nature, function and use of copyright protection; categories of work; subsistence of copyright, moral rights and rights in performances; primary and secondary infringement; registered and unregistered designs; the threat posed to traditional copyright values by digital technology.