IP Law in the Digital Ecosystems

LAWS70642 IP Law in the Digital Ecosystems 30 Semester 2 Postgraduate Taught Level 7 Plamen Dinev Unit coordinator 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Undefined ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 15.0 This module explores the emergent legal and technological framework for the protection of intellectual property rights in the digital environment. Technological developments pose significant challenges to the application and enforcement of intellectual property rights. For instance, 3D printing technology allows users to interfere with virtually all major IP rights. Artificial intelligence calls into question core copyright and patent policies. The digital environment constantly challenges the enforcement of intellectual property law in many ways. Policymakers and the courts are attempting to respond to such challenges with existing provisions undergoing significant reformation. The primary purpose of this class is to introduce the foundations of intellectual property (IP) law, to explore core issues arising in IP policy. In addition to students understanding how IP protection works, they will develop a greater understanding of the historical theories underpinning intellectual property law and the socio-economic role that intellectual property law plays in the digital context. This will allow for students to develop a critical approach towards intellectual property rights, in addition to being able to articulate their arguments regarding the desirability, viability and potential for reform of intellectual property law in both written and oral forms. This module explores the emergent legal and technological framework for the protection of intellectual property rights in the digital environment. Technological developments pose significant challenges to the application and enforcement of intellectual property rights. For instance, 3D printing technology is enabling mass infringement of design rights, patents and trademarks. The internet, in principle, makes the copyrighted works accessible all over the world, and hence, opens to being easily copied and distributed without the knowledge of copyright holder. The digital environment constantly challenges the enforcement of intellectual property law in many ways. Policymakers and the courts are attempting to respond to such challenges with existing provisions undergoing significant reformation. The primary purpose of this class is to introduce the foundations of intellectual property (IP) law, to explore core issues arising in IP policy. In addition to students understanding how IP protection works, they will develop a greater understanding of the historical theories underpinning intellectual property law and the socio-economic role that intellectual property law plays in the digital context. This will allow for students to develop a critical approach towards intellectual property rights, in addition to being able to articulate their arguments regarding the desirability, viability and potential for reform of intellectual property law in both written and oral forms. The primary purpose of this class is to introduce the underpinning purposes and foundations of intellectual property law, in order to then explore the core issues arising in intellectual property policy in the digital environment. Students will develop an understanding of how intellectual property law operates in theory and in practice. At the end of the course, students will have an in depth understanding of the historical theories underpinning intellectual property law, the socio-economic role that intellectual property law plays in the digital environment. Students will also have knowledge and an in depth understanding of the current challenges posed to the development and the enforcement of the intellectual property law by the emerging technologies. Students will be able to demonstrate an in depth understanding of the historical development of intellectual property law at international, European and national levels. Students will also understand the interplay between these levels in law and policy development.Students will be able to demonstrate working knowledge of intellectual property law, and be able to demonstrate some knowledge of extra-legal considerations of intellectual property, such as economic or policy-based arguments in favour of, or against intellectual property protection.Students will be able to demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the role intellectual property law plays in the digital environment and in depth understanding of how the intellectual law property law interacts with emerging technologies.Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the challenges faced when regulating the digital environment and the emerging technologies in order to protect intellectual property rights without undermining technological advancements. Students will be able to demonstrate advanced skills of reasoning, evaluation, analysis, critical thinking, and synthesis of complex topical issues, both orally and in writing in a structured and well substantiated argument. Students will be able to demonstrate independent organisation of their research and learning, and an ability to reflect upon feedback provided on their learning.Students will be able to demonstrate and develop organisational skills in general, such as effectively managing their life and workload when they have multiple commitments. This is of utmost importance for our distance learning students who will potentially have other commitments such as full time jobs or caring responsibilities. Students will be able to demonstrate advanced research skills, including retrieving up to date and relevant articles and texts, using digital resources.Students will be able to develop excellent time management skills as most of them will be doing this part time degree alongside their other commitments.Students will be able to demonstrate and develop networking and interpersonal skills as this distance learning course will allow them to connect with like-minded students and professionals from all over the world.Students will be able to demonstrate excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills. Students’ learning for the taught element of this course unit is 100% online. There will be a combination of online materials provided that students must engage with, including podcasts, videos, lectures and interviews. Students will be able to complete diverse online tasks to monitor and evidence their achievement of the learning objectives. Students will also learn through engaging in directed and independent wider reading. Whilst the majority of this unit will be accessible in an asynchronous manner increasing the agility and flexibility of learning, there will be opportunities to interact with Unit leads and peers during synchronous teaching sessions. We will use online tools to facilitate peer-peer interaction and small group activities.Students’ learning for the taught element of this course unit is 100% online. The course will make full use of eLearning and innovative online technology. The development of the course will be supported by eLearning technologists. There will be a combination of online materials provided that students must engage with, including podcasts, videos, lectures, and interviews. To this end, the Blackboard site will be populated with a range of learning materials, such as (but not limited to): embedded videos/lectures, interactive activities (eg. case excerpts and writing prompts), reading lists, links to e-media resources and podcasts (interviews with academics in the area). Students will be able to complete diverse online tasks to monitor and evidence their achievement of the learning objectives. There will be asynchronous activities for students to complete in their own time and fortnightly synchronous sessions. Whilst the majority of this unit will be accessible in an asynchronous manner increasing the agility and flexibility of learning, there will be opportunities to interact with Unit leads and peers during synchronous sessions. These seminars will discuss independent work set in advance, and encourage peer-to-peer presentation, discussion, and feedback. There will be an emphasis on independent research and argument-building, with students building up a body of notes from their reading as the course unfolds to rely on when completing assessments. Students will also learn through engaging in directed and independent wider reading. There will be office hours with teaching staff where students can drop in(online) and ask questions, a discussion board where students can discuss content with staff and each other, and students will be encouraged to form study groups that regularly meet to encourage a social aspect to the course and to discuss legal issues. In this respect, online tools will be used to facilitate peer-peer interaction and small group activities. 0 Other 10% 2 Written assignment (inc essay) 60% 7 Oral assessment/presentation 30% <ul> <li>Bently, Sherman, Gangjee & Johnson, Intellectual Property Law, OUP, 5th edition, 2018</li> <li>Cornish, Llewellyn & Aplin, Intellectual Property: Patents, Copyright Trade Marks and Allied Rights Sweet & Maxwell, 2019, 9th Edition</li> <li>Bainbridge, Intellectual Property, Longman, 10th edition, 2018</li> <li>Johns, A., Piracy: The Intellectual Property Wars from Gutenburg to Gates, University of Chicago Press, 2010</li> <li>Merges, R.P., ‘Justifying Intellectual Property’ Harvard University Press, 2011</li> <li>Stokes, S., Digital Copyright, Hart, 5th Edition, 2019</li> <li>Cornish, W., Intellectual Property Omnipresent, Distracting Irrelevant?, Clarendon, 2004</li></ul>  0 0 0