This course is designed to provide an overview of the law relating to current issues arising with respect to various aspects of intellectual property (IP) rights in Australia (with consideration of relevant International conventions) and provide an understanding of the social and economic context in which intellectual property law operates. Students who complete the course should:
1. have a good understanding of a range of current issues that affect IP law and policy in Australia;
2. have a good understanding of the international context of the operation of the various regimes regulating IP rights;
3. be able to critically appraise the intellectual property system and evaluate proposals for reform in a domestic and international context;
4. understand the policy issues surrounding the competing interests of intellectual property owners, creators and the broader public.
5. be able to present a current IP issue for evaluation and critique in a seminar context.
6. be able to recognise and apply intellectual property issues raised in novel contexts and to develop a sustained original research project on an identified topic;
7. understand the law relating to those issues and be able to identify and cite relevant primary sources of law (legislation and cases) and secondary sources (academic writing); and 8. be able to demonstrate high level critical thinking and problem solving skills.

Required reading and resources will be provided via the MyUni site. Students will be assumed to have accessed and read all of the required reading listed and available via the MyUni site.

MyUni will be used to post announcements, additional lecture materials, including slides and to announce assignment topics. It will also contain electronic copies of the Course Profile, Seminar and Reading Guide and the Course Materials

This course will be taught through a series of interactive seminars which will provide a range of learning activities and modes, including case analysis, problem solving, class discussion, seminar presentations and (where appropriate) multimedia.

This is a three-unit course and the university workload measurement for students on this course, including class contact time, is 156 hours. This includes any required pre-reading before the classes commence, and any research and writing of assignments after the end of formal classes.

This course is being taught in intensive mode. Students are expected to come to class prepared to engage in active discussion and inquiry. Readings will be assigned before class and classes will be conducted on the assumption that the assigned reading has been completed. Class time will also be set aside for preparation for the negotiation exercise.

Topics to be covered:
Day 1-2: Online copyright infringement and law reform, negotiation exercise
Day 3: Franchising, fan fiction and protection of personality
Day 4: Geographical indications and protection of traditional knowledge, class presentations

There are three (3) components of assessment for this course:

Negotiation exercise (inc submission of written summary) 20% (in class)
Class presentation 20%  (inc written outline) (in class) 
Research Assignment (4000 words) 60% due Friday 11 September 2015, 2pm.

Each part of the assessment scheme is compulsory. This means that if any one of the items of assessment is not 
undertaken/submitted, the marks assigned for that assessment will be irrevocably lost, and the final mark obtainable will be reduced by that amount.

(i) NEGOTIATION EXERCISE (20% of the final result) Due date (in class) Students will be required to participate in a negotiation exercise based around material covered in class. Students will be assigned a particular role and will be required to research the relevant materials and be involved in discussions and debates in a case study mode in class. Students are also required to submit a 1-2 page outline of not more than 1000 words in length which sets out the key matters dealt with by them in their negotiation exercise, including a summary of key points. Negotiation roles and topics will be assigned to students by the lecturer in class. The outline must be submitted to the lecturer at melissa.dezwart@adelaide.edu.au.  
(ii) SEMINAR PRESENTATION (20% of the final result) Due date (in class) This aspect of the assessment will provide students with feedback regarding their level of understanding of the course material and their oral communication and critical thinking skills. Each student will be assigned a topic and class date on which he or she will have to give a presentation to the class.  The student will be provided with readings for this topic, but will be required to conduct further independent research. The rest of the class will also be provided with the readings, to facilitate group discussion. The presenter(s) will have to give a presentation on the assigned topic and lead class discussion during the seminar. Depending on the numbers of students who enrol for this course the time allocated for each presentation inclusive of class discussion will be anywhere from 20-40 minutes.
 Assessment Criteria • level of insight and innovative thought • depth of analysis and level of critical examination of the issues raised • clarity of expression • logical planning and sequence • evidence of comprehensive research and consideration of the relevant literature • demonstrated understanding of relevant legal materials • correct application of relevant material • overall presentation, including clarity of language, structure, appropriate use of visual and other aids 
(iii) WRITTEN RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT (70% of the final result) Due date 11 September 2015, 2pm. This aspect of the assessment will provide students with feedback regarding their level of understanding of the course material and their research, written communication and critical thinking skills. Students must submit a 4000-word essay on a topic to be selected from a list of topics provided by the lecturer.  Assessment Criteria • level of insight and innovative thought • depth of analysis and level of critical examination of the issues raised • clarity of expression • logical planning and sequence • evidence of comprehensive research and consideration of the relevant literature • demonstrated understanding of the comparative law method • demonstrated understanding of relevant legal materials • correct application of relevant material • overall presentation, including correct grammar, spelling and punctuation • use of resources in formulating the paper including proper acknowledgment and correct referencing.

Assignments must be submitted electronically via Turnitin on the MyUni site.