Intellectual Property Law in the Digital Society, 7.5 credits

Main field of study

Course level

Advancement level

Entry requirements

• 180 ECTS credits passed with 90 ECTS credits in the subject area of Business Law including an in-depth academic paper of 15 ECTS credits
• English corresponding to the level of English in Swedish upper secondary education (Engelska 6)
  Exemption for Swedish

Intended learning outcomes

After completing the course, the student shall, at an advanced level, be able to:

• account for international law and EU law in the field of intellectual property law in the digital society,
• identify and solve practice-oriented legal problems in the field of intellectual property law in the digital society,
• explain the main issues within the field of intellectual property law in the digital society,
• address legal problems within the field of intellectual property law in the digital society, and apply the methods required by such problems,
• orally present and discuss legal assessments as well as the knowledge and arguments on which these are based,
• critically review and evaluate scholarly works.

Course content

The course addresses EU law and international law on the theme of intellectual property law in the digital society. The course also includes comparative elements, providing perspectives on other countries’ regulation and application of intellectual property law. Areas of law covered include, among others, copyright, patent law, design law, trademark law, as well as related legislation on competition law and trade secrets, and private international law.

The course begins with a theoretical overview of the fields of intellectual property law and their regulatory frameworks, as well as their practical application. The main part of the course is devoted to in-depth studies focusing on selected intellectual property law issues associated with digital environments and technologies, such as the internet, social networks, computer games, and services providing access to music, film, and photography.

Teaching and working methods

The teaching is conducted in the form of lectures, seminars, group work, and written assignments.

In addition, the student is expected to engage in independent study.

Language of instruction and examination: English.

Examination

The course is examined through:

• individual written examination, grading scale: Pass/Fail,
• active participation in seminars, grading scale: Pass/Fail,
• group written assignment, grading scale: VG, G, U (Pass/Pass with Distinction/Fail),
• group written opposition, grading scale: Pass/Fail.

To obtain a Pass for the course, all components must be passed. To obtain Pass with Distinction, the group written assignment must also be awarded Pass with Distinction.

Detailed information is provided in the course guide.

If special circumstances prevail, and if it is possible with consideration of the nature of the compulsory component, the examiner may decide to replace the compulsory component with another equivalent component.

If the LiU coordinator for students with disabilities has granted a student the right to an adapted examination for a written examination in an examination hall, the student has the right to it.

If the coordinator has recommended for the student an adapted examination or alternative form of examination, the examiner may grant this if the examiner assesses that it is possible, based on consideration of the course objectives.

An examiner may also decide that an adapted examination or alternative form of examination if the examiner assessed that special circumstances prevail, and the examiner assesses that it is possible while maintaining the objectives of the course.

Students failing an exam covering either the entire course or part of the course twice are entitled to have a new examiner appointed for the reexamination.

Students who have passed an examination may not retake it in order to improve their grades.

Grades

Other information

Planning and implementation of a course must take its starting point in the wording of the syllabus. The course evaluation included in each course must therefore take up the question how well the course agrees with the syllabus. 

The course is conducted in such a way that there are equal opportunities with regard to sex, transgender identity or expression, ethnicity, religion or other belief, disability, sexual orientation and age.

If special circumstances prevail, the vice-chancellor may in a special decision specify the preconditions for temporary deviations from this course syllabus, and delegate the right to take such decisions.

About teaching and examination language

The teaching language is presented in the Overview tab for each course. The examination language relates to the teaching language as follows: 

• If teaching language is “Swedish”, the course as a whole could be given in Swedish, or partly, or as a whole, in English. Examination language is Swedish, but parts of the examination can be in English.
• If teaching language is “English”, the course as a whole is taught in English. Examination language is English.
• If teaching language is “Swedish/English”, the course as a whole will be taught in English if students without prior knowledge of the Swedish language participate. Examination language is Swedish or English depending on teaching language.

Department