Intellectual Property and Technology - Developing Countries (Distance Learning) (P02120)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : LAW-P-P02120

The strengthening of the international intellectual property system has been one of the main features of the international globalisation effort that culminated with the creation of the World Trade Organisation. It could be argued that this process is likely to remain in place for the foreseeable future. The scope of international protection of intellectual property rights is on the increase, not only in length of protection, but also geographically and in the amount of rights awarded to owners. How then does this system affect the acquisition of technology by developing countries? This is not just an academic question. Some may consider that a strong international system of intellectual property is detrimental for developing countries because one could argue that it makes technology more difficult to come by.

If developing countries rely on this initial acquisition of high technologies, then who owns it, and how, becomes of critical significance for their development prospects. However, others may argue that developing countries should implement stronger protection in order to foster foreign investment into their economies, which will eventually assist their efforts to become developed.

This module will focus on the relationship between technology, intellectual property and development. Special attention will be given to the specific issues that affect developing countries the most, such as access to knowledge, transfer of technology and access to essential medicines.

Entry Requirements

? This course is not available to visting students.

? Costs : Students should have regular and reliable access to the Internet. Print consumables (paper and ink) would be recommended to provide hard copy of some on screen text and materials (e.g. online journal articles).

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Law, (School of Law, Schedule F)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : Semester 2 (Blocks 3-4)

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 10 weeks

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

The aims of this module are to:

Explore the concept of development, and the different ways in which it can be defined

Analyse the problems faced by developing countries in acquiring technologies

Study the implications of international IP protection for several issues, such as access to medicines in developing countries, access to genetic resources, protection of plant varieties and traditional knowledge

Discuss the international frameworks with regards to the enforcement of intellectual property rights.

By the end of this course, the student will be able to:

explain why and how developing countries are increasingly adopting the Western intellectual property model

outline the effect of increased IP protection on traditional knowledge, genetic resources and cultural products

critically comment on the importance of international trade to access to medicines within developing countries

understand how international policy with regards to development and IP is shaped, and by who.

Assessment Information

One Essay, 5000 words (60%); two pieces of assessed work (20% each);

Note: Completion of the Certificate, the Diploma and progression through the LLM programme will be subject to participation in and completion of core activities within this module.