‘Globalisation’ and its governance structures have changed intellectual property law worldwide. Meanwhile, intellectual property laws play an important globalising role.

This course takes an interdisciplinary and theoretical approach to examine: the history of intellectual property globalisation: governmental and NGO organisations involved in his process; political debates, alliances and ideologies that have shaped global intellectual property law-making; the economics of globalisation and intellectual property; and sociological, cultural and domestic legal effects of globalising through intellectual propertization.

Issues will be discussed in the context of wider debates concerning sovereignty, development and national identity, and the examination of case studies such as the debates about access to essential medicines, biopiracy, and owning life. Students will gain a good understanding of the major debates surrounding the development and application of intellectual property law in a globalised economy.

More information can be found on the Course Outline Website.