Intellectual property is one of the most dynamic areas of the law. In the past fifteen years or so it has been a field of major economic and social importance. At the same time, it has had to respond to a range of issues, for example the challenges posed by digitisation of copyright materials, the impact of biotechnological development, the intersection with competition law and increased concern over the social costs of extending the scope of intellectual property rights. Notwithstanding the fact that Australian intellectual property law has been the subject of major reform over recent years, there are still many unresolved issues impacting on this area of the law. The purpose of this course is to examine in detail some of these particular issues. Thus, rather than focusing on general principles, in this course we will look at particular topics that are the subject of current controversy. The focus of this course will be on Australian law.

Recommended Prior Knowledge
This course assumes a working knowledge of intellectual property based on completion of JURD7446 Inhtellectual Property 1 or JURD7448 Intellectual Property 2 or JURD7321 Foundations of Intellectual Property Law. You will be expected to have an overview of intellectual property law and/or to have read a recent IP textbook (such as Davison et al, Australian Intellectual Property Law (2nd ed) (Cambridge University Press, 2011) or Stewart et al, Intellectual Property in Australia (4th ed) (LexisNexis, 2010)) and IP casebook (such as Bowrey et al, Australian Intellectual Property: Commentary, Law and Practice (Oxford University Press, 2010).

More information can be found on the Course Outline Website.