This unit concerns the legal protection given for certain types of intangible property. Intellectual Property (IP) in its modern sense refers to copyright in literary, artistic, or similar works and to their recording and performance: it also refers to "industrial property", that is, rights in respect of inventions, trademarks, industrial designs, and business goodwill. The unit will encompass the major areas of IP:

• Copyright and neighbouring rights,
• Trademarks and trade names
• Patents and designs

It will also cover, more briefly, other areas of IP such as:

• Geographical indications
• Integrated circuits
• Plant breeders' rights and trade secrets and confidential information.

This unit will include a comparative transnational and/or international element, where appropriate.

Unit Information