Intellectual Property Law PG Certificate (Postgraduate Certificate)

This course provides a thorough grounding in intellectual property law, a rapidly-expanding area. Successful candidates also receive exemption from all seven of the foundation level exams for membership of both the Institute of Trademark Attorneys and the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents.Entry RequirementsYou will normally be expected to have a second class honours law degree or equivalent to be considered for admission. However a law degree is not a prerequisite and each applicant will be considered on their own merits. Applications are welcomed from overseas students. If English is not your first language you will normally be expected to have a score of IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 585. Course AimsThis course provides a thorough grounding in intellectual property law, a rapidly-expanding area. Successful candidates not only receive the Certificate, a useful legal qualification in itself, but exemption from all seven of the foundation level exams for membership of both the Institute of Trademark Attorneys and the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents. Together these constitute the third branch of the legal profession with earnings on a par with those of solicitors and barristers. It will provide students with essential knowledge about the theoretical rationales and policy arguments for the recognition of intellectual property rights. It will explain the basic principles of Intellectual Property Law and the nature and scope of these rights, the procedures, both national and supranational, for the granting and recognition of the rights, and mechanisms for enforcement as well as defences against enforcement.Course ContentOn the Intellectual Property Law programme, you take two taught modules running concurrently through the teaching year from October to May. Students must take the two compulsory modules:Fundamentals of Intellectual Property LawThe module aims to provide students with essential knowledge about the theoretical rationales and policy arguments for the recognition of intellectual property rights. Further, it seeks to explain the basic principles of Intellectual Property Law, nature and scope of such rights, procedures, both national and supranational, for the granting and recognition of the rights, mechanisms for enforcement as well as defences against enforcement. Intellectual Property Practice and Management The course will prepare students for the challenges they will face when they enter practice as it will cover all major practical knowledge needed in a competitive International Intellectual Property industry.Teaching and LearningThe teaching will usually take the form of classes, involving discussion of prepared reading, supplemented by lecturing from the module teacher to introduce and consolidate the discussion. Use of WebCT, our online learning environment, will also help reinforce learning. AssessmentFor each module you will be assessed twice, first by way of a written essay and then by way of an examination. Each assessment is worth 50% of the overall mark.