International and Comparative Patent Law

Code

LAWW4071

School

Law

Level

4

Credits

15

Semesters

Spring UK

Summary

The module will deal with the basic principles of patent law, and it will do so from an international and comparative perspective. Special attention will be paid to European and US patent law before attention will turn to biotechnological inventions and a case study on stem cell patents.

Target Students

Only available to PGT students within the School of Law and exchange students hosted by the School of Law.

Classes

This module is taught in seminar format.

Assessment

• 100% Coursework: 15 pages

Assessed by end of spring semester

Educational Aims

Learning Outcomes

a) Knowledge and understanding:

• Students will develop an advanced understanding and in-depth knowledge of patent law.
• Students should be able to understand the nature and function of patents and how they are exploited at a domestic, European and international level.

b) Intellectual skills:

• Students will develop the capacity for critical thought about existing rules and imaginative thinking about ways to remedy problems in the existing law.
• They should be able to resolve complex practical problems relating to the laws studied.
• They should be able to research efficiently in the field.
• They should develop both synthetic and analytical skills in the field studied.

c) Professional skills:

• Students will develop practical skills how to solve patent law problems as might be encountered in real life. They should also be able to distinguish the best strategy for a client in a given situation.

d) Transferable skills:

• Students will enhance their oral and written communication skills. They should be able to communicate their understanding and knowledge in a clear and structured written as well as oral form.
• They will enhance their ability to work in groups (teamwork).
• Students will enhance their research skills and ability to use electronic information tools.

Conveners

• Professor Paul Torremans