Module description
Finalist Law students only.
Intellectual Property Dissertation (IPD) is not available for second year students. The module has been devised so that it can be studied after or alongside 6FFLK039 Intellectual Property Law, and students with a particular interest in intellectual property law are encouraged to take both modules. Students who wish to study IPD alone (i.e. without studying IPL) may do so with the permission of the module convenor.
Intellectual Property Dissertation (IPD) offers a research-oriented approach to studying intellectual property law. Whereas the module 6FFLK039 Intellectual Property Law is a survey course of the three main intellectual property regimes (copyright, trade marks and patents) assessed via an exam, IP Dissertation enables students to engage in a deep way with specific, controversial and cutting-edge issues in intellectual property law. It is assessed via a dissertation on a topic of the student’s own choosing – students can either write on a pre-approved topic or work with a member of staff to devise their own topic.
During Semester 1, we run a series of seminars in relation to a variety of topics in intellectual property law, such as: (i) copyright, art and film; (ii) patents, innovation and artificial intelligence; and (iii) trade marks and brand management. These topics vary from year to year, and often include rights not considered in the IPL module, such as plant variety protection. Seminars are conducted by Faculty and guest lecturers who are research leaders in the topics covered. The goal, in Semester 1, is to build student knowledge about these issues, expose them to important IP literature, and discuss different critical and methodological approaches to IP law (including doctrinal, economic, socio-legal and historical perspectives). More generally, we hope to inspire students in relation to their own research project and equip students with the ability to engage in normative analysis.
During Semester 2, the amount of face-to-face teaching decreases in order to allow students time to pursue their own dissertation research. Seminars re-orient to more explicitly support the research process, for instance by covering research processes and writing. There are numerous feedback opportunities to help support students in their dissertation project.
We anticipate that some students may wish to complete IP Dissertation without studying the IPL survey module. This is permitted with the written approval of the module convenor. Each topic in Semester 1 will be presented with relevant legal background and context; and the assessment allows students plenty of time to focus attention on their research topic.
Assessment details
1,000-word research outline (15%); 9,000-word dissertation (85%)
Teaching pattern
Seminar (1 x 2 hours per week)
Note: The teaching in Advanced Topics will be somewhat front-loaded to (1) provide students with sufficient knowledge to select or formulate a research topic, and (2) allow them time to work on their dissertations. The vast majority of the teaching will therefore be completed by reading week in Semester 2.
Suggested reading list
Required reading will be posted on KEATS or will be accessible online. Students will also benefit from having access to a good intellectual property textbook such as:
- T Aplin and J Davis, Intellectual Property Law: Text, Cases and Materials, 3rd ed (OUP, 2017) or
- L Bently et al, Intellectual Property Law, 5 th ed (OUP, 2018).