Students begin with an introduction to the purpose and evolution of intellectual property law, examining how intellectual assets are protected and commercialised across industries. The module explores the relationship between innovation, creativity, commerce, and legal protection while providing a foundation for understanding copyright and other intellectual property rights within both domestic and international legal systems.

This module explores what constitutes an original creative work and examines the legal tests used to determine ownership and authorship. Students analyse literary, artistic, musical, dramatic and digital works while gaining an understanding of the legal rights granted to creators and how originality is established.

Students examine copyright ownership, licensing, assignments, transfers of rights and commercial exploitation of creative works. The module also analyses common forms of copyright infringement and introduces practical legal remedies available to rights holders.

Building on earlier copyright studies, this module explores legal exceptions, statutory defences, enforcement mechanisms, damages, injunctions and remedies available when intellectual property rights are violated. Students learn how courts balance creators' rights with public interest considerations.

This module introduces both registered and unregistered design rights and explains how industrial and product designs are legally protected. Students examine the commercial importance of protecting product appearance, packaging, industrial innovation and product development in competitive global markets.

Students study the legal requirements for obtaining patents, including novelty, inventive step and industrial application. The module also considers ownership issues involving employee-created inventions and employer rights while exploring innovation within research-intensive industries

This module examines patent enforcement, infringement claims and legal defences available to alleged infringers. Students analyse practical case scenarios involving technology, pharmaceuticals, engineering and manufacturing while understanding litigation strategies and commercial licensing.

Students investigate emerging issues surrounding biotechnology patents, software innovations, artificial intelligence and evolving international patent frameworks. The module also introduces developments relating to the European patent system and contemporary challenges facing global innovation.

This module explains how trademarks are registered and protected. Students learn the legal requirements for successful registration, including absolute and relative grounds for refusal, while examining the commercial importance of brand identity and consumer protection.

Students analyse trademark infringement, enforcement procedures and remedies available to trademark owners. Real-world examples demonstrate how businesses protect valuable brands from imitation, counterfeiting and consumer confusion.

This module explores both statutory trademark protection and the common law tort of passing off. Students learn how businesses protect goodwill, reputation and market identity, particularly where registered trademarks may not exist.

The programme concludes with a detailed examination of passing off actions, evidentiary requirements and available legal remedies. Students develop practical analytical skills by applying legal principles to commercial disputes involving branding, marketing and unfair competition.