This module seeks to introduce students to IP Law, and equip them with a body of essential knowledge of national copyright law, set within a regional and international context, sufficient to enable students to understand the core concepts that operate in and influence this area. The focus will be on the law of the UK and to a lesser extent that of the other member states of the European Union as illustrative of the essential features of copyright law. Students will gain an appreciation of copyright law in international trade and, in particular, the complex relationship between copyright, trade liberalisation and state control over rights to information.

(LO1) Students will be able to demonstrate understanding of the scope and nature of the type of works and activities that engage copyright law.

(LO2) Students will be able to use the knowledge of substantive copyright law rules.

(LO3) Students will be able to evaluate the complex relationship between copyright, trade liberalisation and state control over rights to information.

(LO4) Students will be able to undertake effective research, appropriate to assessing obligations under copyright law as well as identifying opportunities for asserting rights in the marketplace.

(LO5) Students will be able to use of effective research methods for communicating policy debates and challenges facing regulators and businesses. These include acquisition of critical skills with regard to the merits of particular copyright legislative enactments/policies and making reasoned choices between alternative approaches and solutions.

(LRE1) Problem solving.
Students will be encouraged to think critically about copyright law concepts and enforcement mechanisms to scrutinise the rationale and assumptions underpinning the subject of copyright law (e.g., protected works, rights of authorship and enforcement/remedies) and their impact on strategies for developing policies appropriate for the international business landscape. This will be evidenced by engaging in relevant research, mobilising knowledge, synthesising information, analysing alternative perspectives and options and presenting a reasoned and coherent response or advice.

(LRE2) Reflective Practice.
The teaching, learning, and assessment strategy in this module ensures that students are exposed to diverse ideas and values associated with copyright compliant policies and strategies from a national, international and global perspective. Students will demonstrate understanding of the changing needs and expectations of businesses and how copyright protection practices/agreement/conduct can enhance business value.

(LRE3) Understanding of key copyright concepts, norms and rules.
The module content as well as independent reading, discussion and inquiry engage with key copyright law provisions and assess their impact on commercial organisations.

(LRE4) Internationally aware.
Students will gain an understanding of the wider ramifications of copyright law for trade liberalisation values and state control over rights to information.

(LRE5) Research, Communication, and IT fluency.
Students will have opportunities to demonstrate research, communication, and IT skills during the course of research, participation and submission of assessments. Reading, analysing and synthesising different viewpoints, becoming familiar with different governance approaches to regulating competition, and presenting findings/conclusions to selected problems in clear, comprehensible, structured format.

(LRE6) Time management and planning.
Students evidence their assumption of responsibility for management of their assignments and ability to meet deadlines.

•Introduction to Intellectual Property Law: Justifications, Concepts and Themes

•Copyright Subject-Matter (Literary, Dramatic, Artistic and Musical Works)

•The Concept of Authorship

•First Ownership and Employee Works

•Infringement of Copyright

•Exploitation of Copyright

•International Aspects (Copyright, International Trade and State Control) drawing on developments in the EU.

The Learning and Teaching Strategy has been guided by the Curriculum 2021 Framework, Attributes and Hallmarks. This includes the emphasis placed on the value of developing module content informed by current and cutting-edge research in the relevant subject area (s) and needs of professionals in the business and commercial sector. Students will be provided with relevant domestic and international contexts to illustrate core copyright law concepts, rationales and strategies. In addition to providing knowledge and building the confidence of students in engaging with contemporary and emerging issues raised by the exploitation of intellectual property rights in national and global settings (Copyright, International Trade and State Control), the directed learning and study materials will equip them with the skills necessary to enable them to demonstrate their ability to critically engage with the challenges businesses encounter in protecting their intellectual property rights and evaluate the practice and impact of IP on development of resilient business models.
The module will primarily be delivered through a series of e-lectures, delivered through a variety of methods, covering key concepts, themes, issues and case studies. These will be supported by individual online tasks such as, case studies, interactive exercises, use of IT tools and discussion boards, which will be used to develop and apply learning. These activities will be moderated by the module instructor. Students will also be directed to key academic and practitioner readings to further develop their learning.
Description: Asynchronous learning materials, directed and independent reading which enable students to develop their understanding of rationale, key concepts and principles in Conflicts of Law in international business and commerce. The asynchronous lectures will be complemented by the use of discussion boards, interactive exercises and 2 synchronous seminars (2 hours each) to help studen t acquire and apply their knowledge and legal skills. The asynchronous lectures will equate to 60 minutes per week over an 8-week duration.
Attendance Recorded: Yes – tracked via the learning platform.
Scheduled Directed student hours: 4 hours
Description: Each synchronous seminar will equate to 2 hours in total.
Attendance Recorded: Yes – tracked via the learning platform.