LLM Intellectual Property

• International & Comparative Intellectual Property Law: Gaining an understanding of the international framework of IP law and national IP law in major jurisdictions has become indispensable for professionals working in the context of the modern economy. This unit will give you a thorough grounding and critical appreciation of international and national IP law.

• Dissertation: The dissertation provides an opportunity to research an area of law associated with the knowledge and skills gained during the course. You’ll develop further skills in critical thinking, evaluate new and existing relevant research and enhance your conceptual understanding of the law.

Choose five option units:

• Principles of International Law & Organisations: This unit will provide a sound grounding in the principles underpinning international law. You’ll be encouraged to understand the theory of international law, the structures of international legal obligations, and the subjects of this international legal order. Secondly, you’ll examine international organizations and their role, purpose, and relationship with states. Finally, you’ll familiarise yourself with institutions, their origins and structures, and the challenges faced within the globalized world.

• Contemporary Issues in Intellectual Property Law: Intellectual property law requires a study of current issues brought together by a survey of the substantive law in the context of emerging technologies, creative industries, businesses, and market practices. It is of increasing significance in the legal profession as well as at a policy level. This unit aims to provide an understanding of the general principles of the substantive laws relating to current intellectual property laws and their application within the industry.

• Corporate Law Theory & Practice: This unit will expose you to the theoretical basis of corporate law. You’ll examine critical issues in contemporary corporate law and learn to evaluate corporate law issues from critical theoretical and practical perspectives.

• Regulation & Policy of International Commerce: You’ll be introduced to fundamental concepts of English commercial law forms and discuss several developments of the regulatory frameworks that control commercial practices.

• International Cyber Law & Governance: This unit will provide a thorough grounding and critical appreciation of online policy, regulatory scope for online activities, and strategic impact on business decisions.

• Regulating Informational Interests: The unit provides knowledge and understanding of the broader legal context associated with the creation, collation, processing, communication, and storage of information. It specifically addresses the disruptive impact of modern technologies on existing legal and regulatory categories and frameworks. It will enable you to identify current and future areas of disruption and to critically evaluate the use, success, and appropriateness of law and regulation as a response mechanism to the management of ‘Informational Interests.’

• Copyright & Trade Marks: Gain a systematic understanding of copyright and trademarks' legal regimes. This unit will update your knowledge of UK, European and International law and allow you to independently apply legislation and judicial decisions to situations in the workplace. This unit is better suited for students who have spent time in practice or are currently in practice and is not designed for students moving from an academic degree(s) to a Master's in Law. Please get in touch with the LLM Program Leader if you are considering this option unit.

• Patents & Designs: Understand the legal regimes governing patents and designs. This unit will apply legislation and judicial decisions to situations in the workplace. You will learn to use knowledge of prevailing patents and designs law to maximum advantage. This unit is better suited for students who have spent time in practice or are currently in practice and is not designed for students moving from an academic degree(s) to a Master's in Law. Please get in touch with the LLM Program Leader if you are considering this option unit.

• International Intellectual Property Practice (Patent Attorney Route) OR International Intellectual Property Practice (Trade Mark Attorney Route): These units only apply to students with prior practical knowledge of trademarks and patents and who are currently in practice. The Patent Attorney route is only available for students with a degree in a science, engineering, technology, or mathematics-based subject; in contrast, the Trade Mark Attorney route is only available for students who have practiced in the field of Trade Marks. These units share a standard syllabus, focusing on national and international procedures, including patent drafting for securing, exploiting, and defending patent and trademark rights.