Postgraduate Course: IP & Technology: Developing Countries (LAWS11141)
Course Outline
| School | School of Law |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Available to all students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Credits | 20 |
| Home subject area | Law |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | 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, other 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 (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? | Yes |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
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 module, 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
80% essay (5000 words)
20% Class Assignment: This is a group research project and group presentation.
The class is divided into groups that will research one of the assigned topics. Teams cannot exceed four members. The exercise consists of two elements, a written report and a presentation. Each element will be worth 10% of the final mark.
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Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Not entered |
| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
Not entered |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Mr Andres Guadamuz
Tel: (0131 6)50 9699
Email: A.Guadamuz@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Amanda Mackenzie
Tel: (0131 6)50 6325
Email: amanda.mackenzie@ed.ac.uk |
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