Intellectual Property & Information Law

Course detail Description

Innovations, creative works, collections of data and communications infrastructure are central components of our digital, global society. How the law is and should be applied to the regulation of these intangible assets are important questions for government and commerce around the world.

That is why the LLM in Intellectual Property & Information Law attracts students from a diverse range of jurisdictions and backgrounds. This is matched by a teaching faculty at King's that comprises a diverse mix of leading academics and practitioners - offering a wide variety of perspectives on the role of Intellectual Property & Information Law today.

There is a strong international, European and comparative focus to the course and all of our students benefit from access to the wider legal community. Guest speakers, networking events, attendance at external seminars and participation in international mooting competitions are just some of what you can expect on this LLM.

Many members of The Dickson Poon School of Law have made a significant contribution to IP Law and are influential in this area:

• Professor Tanya Aplin

• Professor John Phillips

• Professor David Llewelyn

• Mr Perry Keller

• Dr Barbara Lauriat

• Professor Kevin Madders

• Dr Emily Hudson

For those who want to work in legal practice (in a variety of capacities - solicitor, advocate on in-house counsel) in the following sectors: the cultural and creative industries (music, film, art and publishing); 'brand' management for medium to large corporations; innovation industries, such as information and digital technology, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. Those from both EU and non-EU countries where the 'knowledge economy' is either developing or already rather crucial will be attracted to this pathway.

This programme allows you to deepen or to broaden your knowledge of law as an academic subject and assists your professional development by enhancing your problem-solving skills in a transnational context. Designed to maximise students' intellectual potential, it also keeps you grounded by drawing on the real world experiences of staff and other practitioners. The LLM offers a sharpened focus on our key areas of excellence and a commitment to offer a premier programme and a world class student experience. Aimed at recent law graduates (or graduates of joint degrees with a significant law content) as well as established legal professionals who may have graduated a number of years ago, the programme is rigorous and demanding and requires serious commitment.

Intellectual Property and Information Law LLM Brochure

In the first and second semester you study your selection of taught modules (half and full). These are in most cases assessed in the third semester (May/June) by written examination, or in some cases by the submission of an assessed essay.

Dissertation or research essays must be submitted in September, after the May/June examinations.

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Structure

Year 1 Required Modules

You will have to take one of the following writing projects:

• Dissertation (40 credits)

• Dissertation (60 credits)

• 10,000 word practice or research module (40 credits)

In order to meet the 180 credit requirement, students must select at least 120-140 credits from a range of optional modules. Students who wish to specialise within a certain pathway must ensure that at least 120 credits are taken within that pathway.

Examples of modules available with Intellectual Property & Information Law LLM:

• International & Comparative Copyright Law (40 credits)
• International & Comparative Law of Trade Marks Designs & Unfair Competition (40 credits)
• Privacy & Information Law (40 credits)
• Information Society Law (20 credits)
• Copyright & The Music Industry in The Digital Era (20 credits)
• Comparative Freedom of Speech (20 credits)
• Patents & Trade Secrets (20 credits)
• Commercialisation of Intellectual Property (20 credits)
• Competition Intellectual Property & The Media Industry (20 credits)
• Transnational Digital Enforcement of Intellectual Property (40 credits)
• Arbitration of International Intellectual Property Disputes (20 credits)