Are trade marks on their own sufficient to protect brands? This course will attempt to answer this question by looking at the legal means available to protect brands, not only trade marks, but also, for example, passing off or geographical indications, by considering the meaning of 'brand', and by looking at some of the policy arguments about the scope of protection which can be justified. This includes the rationales for trade mark registration and the interaction between trade marks and other forms of brand protection.

10 x 2 hour seminars in semester 2.

Intellectual Property and the Law (LAW5034)

None

The course is assessed by (i) seminar attendance and participation (15%) and (ii) a 3-hour final seen examination (85%). The details of the participation element will be included in the course handbook and may include group activities and diverse means of student engagement (e.g., moodle forum, padlet).

The principal aim of this course is to provide students with an understanding of what is meant by a brand, to look at various legal means by which brands can be protected, considering examples from different jurisdictions, and to assess the justifications for such protection, particularly in the context of the creative economy. More specifically the aims are to:

■ Encourage students to reflect on the meaning of the term 'brand'.

■ Equip students with an understanding of the legal tools which can be used to protect brands.

■ Consider the possible limitations of these tools.

■ Consider the policy debates on legal protection and evaluate the positions taken in these debates.

By the end of the course students should be able to:

1. Explain and assess different understandings of brands in the creative economy.

2. Apply the legal tools for protecting brands appropriately in specific contexts.

3. Critically evaluate the different methods available to protect brands.

4. Analyse the policy arguments surrounding protection of brands.

5. Construct a well-structured argument and present their views clearly.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course summative assessment.