LAWCOMM 793 : Patent Law

Law

2025 Semester One (1253) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Australian and New Zealand law relating to patents, including patentable subject matter, ownership, inventorship, validity requirements, patent specification requirements and the law governing infringement. The law relating to the protection of confidential information. Involves individual research resulting in a substantial piece of research writing.

Course Overview

This course is about Australian and New Zealand law relating to the protection of innovative ideas and inventions. The primary focus is therefore on the statutory rules and case law that relate to the Patents Act 1990 (Cth) and the Patents Act 2013 (NZ). The course addresses the creation, exploitation, enforcement and loss of patent rights under such legislation. However, before addressing patent legislation, the course deals with the protection of innovative ideas and inventions by the common law breach of confidence action. 

Course Requirements

Corequisite: LAWCOMM 772 Restriction: LAWCOMM 462

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Identify and evaluate the nature and extent of protection provided by the breach of confidence action. (Capability 3.1, 4.1, 5.1 and 6.1)
  2. Explain and advise on what subject matter is potentially patentable. (Capability 1.2, 3.1, 4.1, 5.1 and 6.1)
  3. Explain and advise on the rules that determine inventorship and ownership of a patent. (Capability 3.1, 4.1, 5.1, 6.1 and 7.1)
  4. Articulate and apply key legal principles and concepts that relate to patent validity and patent specifications. (Capability 3.1, 4.1, 5.1 and 6.1)
  5. Articulate and apply key legal principles and concepts that relate to patent infringement. (Capability 3.1, 4.1, 5.1 and 6.1)
  6. Contrast and evaluate the approaches New Zealand and Australian patent law takes to key legal issues. (Capability 3.1, 4.1, 5.1 and 6.1)
  7. Demonstrate independent research, analysis, critical evaluation and effective written communication by engaging with issues, problems or debates in patent law in a substantial piece of legal writing (Capability 6.1 and 8.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Breach of confidence case report 10% Individual Coursework
Oral submissions on patentability 20% Group Coursework
Written submissions on validity 25% Individual Coursework
Research memorandum of advice 45% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Breach of confidence case report
Oral submissions on patentability
Written submissions on validity
Research memorandum of advice

Workload Expectations

This is a standard 15-point course. The guideline for the total workload for this course is 150 hours.


Delivery Mode

Campus Experience or Online

This course is offered in two delivery modes.

The primary delivery mode is Campus Experience. Attendance is expected at weekly face-to-face lectures which are scheduled for six weeks. 

The alternative delivery mode is Online via a Zoom live stream. Attendance is expected for Zoom sessions with your camera on. 

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

There is no prescribed text, but the following texts are recommended:
• Mark J. Davison, Ann Louise Monotti and Leanne Wiseman Australian Intellectual Property Law (4th ed, Cambridge University Press, Melbourne, 2020).
• Susy Frankel and Jessica Lai Patent Law and Policy (LexisNexis NZ Ltd, Wellington, 2016).
• Colin Bodkin Patent Law in Australia (4th ed, Thomson Reuters, 2024).

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

In 2025, we have adjusted the assessment to ensure alignment with the new assessment policy. 

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course director, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a Student Academic and Support Adviser as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 01/11/2024 06:08 p.m.