electiveHQ

The first part of this module examines the law and policy of the patent system. Topics covered may include: the justification for the patent system, the framework of patent law, including the European Patent Convention and the proposal for a unitary patent package, the criteria for obtaining a patent, exclusions from patentability, patent infringement, and the impact of the TRIPS agreement. Recent controversies concerning the relationship between vaccines and the availability of Covid vaccines and medicines will also be discussed The second part of this module examines the law of Trade marks and passing off. Topics covered may include: the justification and purpose of trade marks and passing off, the law of passing off, celebrity endorsements, the statutory trade mark system, the criteria for obtaining a trade mark, whether it is possible to get a trade mark over a sound / smell / colour / shape, exclusions, and trade mark infringement. There is also a focus on recent trade mark controversies and cases.