The University of New South Wales

go to UNSW home page

Handbook Home

PRINT THIS PAGE
Innovation Law and Policy - LAWS3356
 student sculpture

 
Faculty: Faculty of Law
 
 
School:  Faculty of Law
 
 
Course Outline: See below
 
 
Campus: Kensington Campus
 
 
Career: Undergraduate
 
 
Units of Credit: 6
 
 
EFTSL: 0.12500 (more info)
 
 
Indicative Contact Hours per Week: 3
 
 
Equivalent: GENL2456
 
 
Excluded: GENL2456
 
 
CSS Contribution Charge:Band 1 (more info)
 
   
 
Further Information: See Class Timetable
 
  

Description

This course provides a practically-oriented overview of the legal regulation of Australian innovation. Its primary focus is on the role of intellectual property law – in particular, the laws of copyright, designs, patents, trade marks and related rights – in rewarding and protecting Australian innovations in function and in product appearance, both domestically and overseas. It also situates this discussion of legal regulation within a broader framework of government policy and innovation strategy. It will be of particular interest to those with an interest in the workings of the cultural, scientific and technology industries.

Recommended Prior Knowledge

None

Course Objectives

The aim of this course is for students to consider the interrelationship between law and innovation in the 21st-century. No prior legal knowledge is required as students will learn the basics of intellectual property law, for example, copyright and trade marks. Although classes will be based around these specific legal topics, students will engage with contemporary case studies, providing a broader appreciation of innovation issues today.

Main Topics

Regulation of copyright, trade marks, patents, designs and confidential information; role of law in innovation; innovation strategies.

Assessment

Research essay 3,000 words 50%

90 minute exam (multiple-choice and short answer) 50%

Course Texts

Prescribed

W. van Caenegem, Intellectual Property Law and Innovation (Melbourne: Cambridge University Press, 2007)

Recommended

L. Bently and B. Sherman, Intellectual Property Law (2nd ed) (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004)
M. Davison, A. Monotti and L. Wiseman, Australian Intellectual Property Law (Melbourne: Cambridge University Press, 2008)
M. Leiboff, Creative Practice and the Law (Sydney: Thomson Lawbook Co, 2007)
J. McKeough, K. Bowrey & P. Griffith, Intellectual Property: Commentary and Materials (4th ed) (Sydney: Thomson Lawbook Co, 2007)
S. Ricketson, M. Richardson and M. Davison, Intellectual Property: Cases, Materials and Commentary (4th ed) (Sydney: LexisNexis Butterworths, 2008)

Resources

Refer to the course outline which will be provided by the lecturer at the beginning of the relevant semester.

URL for this page:

© The University of New South Wales (CRICOS Provider No.: 00098G), 2004-2011. The information contained in this Handbook is indicative only. While every effort is made to keep this information up-to-date, the University reserves the right to discontinue or vary arrangements, programs and courses at any time without notice and at its discretion. While the University will try to avoid or minimise any inconvenience, changes may also be made to programs, courses and staff after enrolment. The University may also set limits on the number of students in a course.