LLAW6132 & JDOC6132

General Course Information

1.1 Course details

Course code: LLAW6132 / JDOC6132
Course name: International and Comparative Intellectual Property Law
Programme offered under: LLM Programme / JD Programme
Semester: Second
Prerequisites / Co-requisites: No
Credit point value: 9 credits / 6 credits

1.2 Course description

This course introduces the international framework within which intellectual property law operates, including copyright, patents, trademarks, industrial designs, unfair competition, trade secrets, geographic indications and other forms of intellectual property (IP). The course examines how multilateral conventions and agreements such as Berne Convention, Paris Convention and TRIPS Agreement shape national IP laws, the role of international bodies such as WIPO and WTO, the effect of bilateral agreements, and other international influences on the development of IP law. The course also introduces the enforcement provisions and WTO dispute settlement mechanism concerning international IP disputes. While devoting special attention to IPRs protection for cutting edge technologies such as biotechnology and information technology, the course also discusses the protection for traditional knowledge and folklore, and the overall implications of international IP protection for global competition between developed and developing countries in an integrated world market.

1.3 Course teachers

Name E-mail address Office Consultation
Course convenor Yahong Li yali@hku.hk CCT 407 By email

Learning Outcomes

2.1 Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) for this course

CLO 1 understand the emergence and justifications of international IP system, and the application of the major principles of international IP laws such as national treatment and territoriality.

CLO 2 identify the major differences and commonalities between common law and civil law, as well as between national laws, concerning IP protection and enforcement.

CLO 3 have a sound knowledge about how international IP laws shaped national IP laws, particularly through TRIPS Agreement and WTO dispute settlements.

CLO 4 engage in academic and policy debates about the role of international IP system in technology advancement, public interest, and social development.

2.2 LLM and JD Programme Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

Please refer to the following link:

LLM – https://course.law.hku.hk/llm-plo/

JD – https://course.law.hku.hk/jd-plo/

2.3 Programme Learning Outcomes to be achieved in this course

PLO A PLO B PLO C PLO D PLO E PLO F
CLO 1
CLO 2
CLO 3
CLO 4

Assessment(s)

3.1 Assessment Summary

Assessment task Due date Weighting Feedback method* Course learning outcomes
Research paper TBC 100% 1 1, 2, 3
*Feedback method (to be determined by course teacher)
1 A general course report to be disseminated through Moodle
2 Individual feedback to be disseminated by email / through Moodle
3 Individual review meeting upon appointment
4 Group review meeting
5 In-class verbal feedback

3.2 Assessment Detail

To be advised by course convenor(s).

3.3 Grading Criteria

Please refer to the following link: https://www.law.hku.hk/_files/law_programme_grade_descriptors.pdf

Learning Activities

4.1 Learning Activity Plan

Seminar: 3 hours / week for 12 teaching weeks
Private study time: 9.5 hours / week for 12 teaching weeks

Remarks: the normative student study load per credit unit is 25 ± 5 hours (ie. 150 ± 30 hours for a 6-credit course), which includes all learning activities and experiences within and outside of classroom, and any assessment task and examinations and associated preparations.

4.2 Details of Learning Activities

To be advised by course convenor(s).

Learning Resources

5.1 Resources

Reading materials: Reading materials are posted on Moodle
Core reading list: TBA
Recommended reading list: TBA

5.2 Links

Please refer to the following link: http://www.law.hku.hk/course/learning-resources/