Handbook information

Contents

The aim of the course is to give a thorough understanding of some of the core concepts of U.S. and European intellectual property laws, with specific focus on fundamental policy questions in light of the most recent legal and technological developments. The course is divided into four modules. The first module will discuss the purposes, as well as the strengths and weaknesses, and the legal and economic effects of different patent systems (e.g. PCT system, European patent system, Eurasian system, and African systems (ARIPO and OAPI)). The second module will cover issues related to digital technologies, the Internet and copyright protection, as well as new functions of IPRs (for e.g., issues at stake will be: file-sharing; DRM; open models; key norm-setting activities in Europe, in the USA and in the world; cybersquatting and defending Internet Domain Names in Europe and in the world). The third module will deal with the most salient controversies arising from the interaction of the IP rules and the competition law system. The fourth module will cover issues related to the enforcement of IP law, including issues related to intellectual property and international law.

Learning Objectives

After finalizing the course students will be able to understand:
- The rules and regulations governing the filing and prosecution of patent applications before different patent offices, including both the legal and ethical obligations of those practicing before the offices.
- Both how intellectual property laws react to and provoke complex technological phenomena and how technological developments affect and contribute in shaping IP rules globally.
- The fundamentals of intellectual property laws and how it applies to patent and trade mark litigation.

Language of Instruction

English

Pre-requisites

This course is part of the M.Sc. program in intellectual property law. Other students are welcome. However, the professor may limit the number of other students. There are no pre-requisites for students in the M.Sc. program in intellectual property law. Other students: Immaterial- och konkurrensrätt or similar basic course in intellectual property law.

Contact hours

40 h

Instruction

Lectures, exercises, self-study, term paper.

Literature

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY HANDBOOK, WIPO 2011 (http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/about-ip/en/iprm/pdf/detailed_toc.pdf), Chapters 2 (Patents and Copyright and Related Rights sections), 4, and 5.

Additionally, lecture notes, slides, articles and cases as pointed out by the instructor are required for the exam.

Evaluation and Examination

Written examination (80 % of the grade), which is based on the literature (including lectures), term paper (20 % of the grade).

Instructor

Ballardini, Rosa Maria

Second Instructor

Norrgård, Marcus

Course Coordinator

Ballardini, Rosa Maria

Additional Information

The students are also expected to learn the contents of lecture notes. The lecture notes will be made available during the course on the website.