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LWM27

International and comparative law of patents, trade secrets and related rights

Module information>

Academic Direction
UCL, Queen Mary 嗨碰视频
Also part of
LLM Postgraduate Laws
Modes of Study
Online

The grant of a patent is a way to promote and protect innovation in both products and methods of production. The basis of patent law is an exchange: disclosure for exclusive rights. Where an inventor does not want to disclose the invention, they may rely on the law of trade secrets (breach of confidence) to prevent the unauthorised disclosure and use of the information. In this course you will study how, why and when patents are granted. During the course we examine patent law; we look at the law under the European Patent Convention (and in particular in the United Kingdom), the United States and Japan. We look at trade secrets law, in particular why trade secrets may be an alternative to patent protection. We also examine the law protecting trade secrets in various jurisdictions, international and regional agreements as well as special topics that draw on earlier material.

Module A: Comparative law of patents

LWM27A

  • Introduction to patents: history, justifications, agreements
  • Methods of applying for a patent
  • Patentability
  • The person skilled in the art, priority and grace periods
  • Infringement and exceptions to infringement
  • Entitlement/ownership of patents

Module B: Comparative law of trade secrets

LWM27B

  • Why protect trade secrets?
  • The distinction between commercial trade secrets and privacy
  • Relationship between trade secrets and patenting
  • Trade secrets law in England, the United States, Germany and France

Module C: International agreements on patent law

LWM27C

  • Paris Convention
  • TRIPS Agreement
  • European Patent Convention
  • Other regional patent agreements
  • Patent Cooperation Treaty
  • The Convention on Biodiversity
  • Patent Law Treaty
  • Budapest Treaty
  • Locarno Agreement on Classification
  • Supplementary Protection Certificates
  • Enforcement Directive (2004/48/EC)

Module D: Current issues in international patent law and policy

LWM27D

  • Utility models and petty patents
  • Biotechnological patenting (so-called life patents and gene patents)
  • Plant variety protection
  • Patenting of computer software and business methods
  • 鈥淧atent quality鈥 and Peer-to-patent

Assessment

Each module is assessed by a 45-minute unseen written exam.

Sequence

It is strongly recommended you attempt the modules in order.

How to apply

You can apply to study a module individually as a standalone unit or as part of a Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma or Master of Laws qualification. (In either scenario, they must be studied in order.)

These modules also contribute towards the following specialist pathways for Laws:

  • Commercial and Corporate Law
  • Common Law
  • Comparative and Foreign Law
  • Intellectual Property Law
  • International Business Law
  • International Intellectual Property Law

Study Material

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