77891 Patent Systems

6cp; offered by distance requiring no on-campus attendance
Requisite(s): ( 77898 Patent Law OR ((94 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C04236 Juris Doctor OR 142 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C04250 Juris Doctor Master of Business Administration OR 94 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C04363 Juris Doctor Master of Intellectual Property OR 94 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C04364 Juris Doctor Graduate Certificate Trade Mark Law and Practice) AND 70106c Principles of Public International Law AND 70107c Principles of Company Law AND 77898 Patent Law) OR (94 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C04320 Juris Doctor Graduate Certificate Professional Legal Practice AND 70106 Principles of Public International Law AND 77889 Trade Marks Law))
The lower case 'c' after the subject code indicates that the subject is a corequisite. See definitions for details.
Anti-requisite(s): 76085 Intellectual Property: Trade Marks and Patents AND 78191 Patent Systems

Description

In practice, patent practitioners need to be able to competently advise their clients (external or in-house) in detail with respect to Australian and New Zealand patent law and international systems of filing patents as well as provide general (as opposed to specialised) patent advice in relation to commercially important foreign countries. This subject concentrates on the ability to handle the interests of a client in prosecution and maintenance of a patent application, including advice on the desirability of seeking patent protection and provision of alternative protection in Australia and New Zealand and other commercially important foreign countries. Topics covered include: types of application; patent office practice; amendment; opposition; re-examination; maintenance; extension of term; extension of time; revocation; treaties and conventions; searching; assignment; licensing; compulsory licences and innovation patents; Crown use; restrictions on exploitation; circuit layout legislation and practice; plant protection legislation and practice; patentability in Australia and New Zealand and other commercially important foreign states (particularly the United States, the European Union, the People's Republic of China, South Korea and Japan).

Students develop practical patent knowledge and analytical skills through online group discussions of relevant topics and problem-solving activities, and assessments that mirror the legal and factual issues that arise in practice as a patent practitioner. These activities and assessments are designed to assist students to develop commercial skills and become solution-focused patent practitioners When engaging in the group discussions students are expected to collaborate, thereby building the skills necessary to work as part of a legal team in order to develop clear and comprehensive legal advice. When engaging in the group discussions students are required to undertake research to critically evaluate national and international areas of patent law relevant to patent practitioners. Apart from the online group discussions which involve external research, detailed lecture materials are provided to enable students to adequately cover the range of topics assessed.

Footnote(s)

This subject is accredited by the Professional Standards Board as fulfilling part of the qualifications for registration as a Patent Attorney in Australia.

Detailed subject description.