European and International Intellectual Property Law
The course provides an introduction to the European legal framework governing trademark, patent, copyright, and design law, and the substantive requirements and characteristics of each of these forms of protection. The course focuses on the practical aspects of intellectual property: students will learn how to recognise what aspects of a product can be protected and what infringement of rights looks like. Students will also understand the advantages and limitations of the various forms of protection available.
Course Objectives:
The primary objective of this course is to provide students with sufficient practical and theoretical knowledge and background of European intellectual property law to allow them to recognise and identify whether and to what extent the tangible and intangible business assets they may come into contact with in a business environment are protectable by means of intellectual property rights. In addition to gaining an understanding of the characteristics and functions of intellectual property rights, students will learn how intellectual property rights can be obtained and enforced in practice.
Achievement levels:
The following achievement levels apply with regard to the course:
Knowledge and comprehension:
Acquiring knowledge of the main types of intellectual property protection.
Understanding the justifications advanced for intellectual property protection.
Understanding the international legal framework governing intellectual property protection.
Understanding of currently newsworthy topics in the area, including the adaptation of copyright to the digital environment.
Application:
Students will be able to describe and explain the different types of IP protection.
Students will be able to apply their knowledge to identify and solve problems arising in the IP area.
Analysis:
Students will be able to determine whether a given asset or product is protectable by IP law and to explain their analysis from first principles.
Presentation:
Students will be able to present oral arguments in relation to protection and infringement of one or more types of intellectual property rights.
Mode of Instruction:
Students are expected to attend interactive lectures and seminars totalling 16 hours over five weeks. For each lecture, students are required to read the materials provided in the reader and on Blackboard.
General introduction (2h)
Copyright law (6h)
Trademark law and design law (5h)
Patent law (3h)
Mock trial; Q&A (4h)
Co-ordinator
Europa Institute Steenschuur 25 2311 ES Leiden Phone: 071-527 7760 Website: www.europainstituut.nl Sheena Bruce, s.bruce@law.leidenuniv.nl Phone: +31 (0)71 527 7821
**** Lecturer(s): ****
Dr. Ana Ramalho, Dr. José Paredes (patent attorney)
Course Materials
Annette Kur, Thomas Dreier, Stefan Luginbuehl, European Intellectual Property Law. Text, Cases and Materials, 2nd ed. (Edward Elgar, 2019)
- Course Reader can be downloaded from Bright Space
Examination
Final Examination: 60%
Mock trial: 40% - 20% written brief; 20% oral performance
The student will pass the course if the overall assessment grade is 6.0 or higher. Resits will be in the form of a written exam, which will replace both the grade of the first exam and the mock trial.
Course requirements
- Master degree
Application
- Sheena Bruce, s.bruce@law.leidenuniv.nl – Phone: +31 (0)71 527 7821
**Disclaimer: This course has been updated to the best of our knowledge at the current time of publishing. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the fluctuating changes in lock down regulations all information contained within this course description are subject to change up to 1 September 2020.
Due to the uncertainty of the Covid-19 virus after 1 September 2020, changes to the course description can only be made in the event of strict necessity and only in the circumstances where the interests of the students are not impinged. Should there be a need for any change during the duration of the course, this will be informed to all students on a timely basis and will not be to the prejudice of students. Modifications after 1 September 2020 may only be done with the approval and consent of the Faculty Board.
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