Fundamentals of Intellectual Property (LAWS90125)

Fundamentals of Intellectual Property provides a good introduction to intellectual property (IP) for students wishing to pursue more specialised graduate studies in this area. It also provides a general overview of IP law for students studying an overall commercial and trade law program.

The objective of this subject is to provide an introduction to, and general overview of, the various Australian laws protecting IP, with reference to New Zealand IP laws. IP laws, including patent, design and copyright laws, are directed at the encouragement and protection of innovations in science, technology and cultural goods. IP laws, like trade mark and unfair competition laws also protect brands, reputations and other important commercial interests. The subject will also introduce the international framework of treaties under which the owners of IP from one country can seek protection in another country.

The subject will be taught by:

• four ‘pre-teaching’ weeks conducted online (outside the classroom)
• one-week intensive conducted on-campus (in the classroom)

This subject is delivered using a ‘flipped classroom’ approach. You will spend the pre-teaching period studying readings and viewings provided via Canvas modules to learn the key principles and policies. Then, in the on-campus seminars, we will discuss, debate, and apply these principles and policies to cultivate higher level cognitive, problem-solving, advocacy, and reasoning skills.

Principal topics include:

• The concept of IP
• Rationales for IP laws
• Copyright, including protection and infringement
• Registered designs, including protection and infringement
• Trade marks and related laws, including protection and infringement
• Patents, including protection and infringement
• Protection of confidential information and trade secrets under general law
• Traditional knowledge
• International IP treaties