LLH477 Innovation and Intellectual Property Law
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | LLH477 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | LLH302. LLH302 can be studied in the same teaching period as LLH477. |
| Assumed Knowledge: | LLB344 is assumed knowledge. Students should have knowledge of the fundamentals of intellectual property law (copyright, patents and trademarks). |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $1,812 |
| Pre-2021 CSP student contribution | $1,419 The pre-2021 commonwealth supported place (CSP) contribution amount only applies to students enrolled in a course prior to 2021. To learn more, visit our Understanding your fees page. |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $2,748 |
| International unit fee | $3,780 |
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2025, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | LLH477 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | LLH302. LLH302 can be studied in the same teaching period as LLH477. |
| Assumed Knowledge: | LLB344 is assumed knowledge. Students should have knowledge of the fundamentals of intellectual property law (copyright, patents and trademarks). |
| Coordinator: | Kylie Pappalardo | k.pappalardo@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This unit provides a rich understanding of the most pressing challenges in IP and innovation law right now, and offers opportunities for you to select and deeply explore the legal issues that most align with your interests. You will gain new understandings of the role of IP law in the knowledge economy and in areas as diverse as technology, culture, education, health and business. You will cultivate critical evaluation and decision-making skills that will inform your professional practice as you respond to complex legal problems regarding innovation and empower you to imagine and realise change in the application and operation of IP law.
This unit is offered as an advanced elective in the Law (Honours) degree as part of the Law, Technology and Innovation minor. It builds on the formative knowledge provided in the electives LLB344 Intellectual Property Law.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Analyse the challenges of applying intellectual property law in complex contexts, such as to new technologies like generative AI, developing nations and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge (Course Learning Outcomes 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.3)
- Evaluate the ability of intellectual property law to effectively respond to the social, political and economic challenges of the innovation economy (CLOs 1.5, 2.3)
- Manage, design and produce a research project, including implementing appropriate research methodologies and frameworks and selecting and appraising relevant primary and secondary sources (CLOs 3.1, 3.2, 3.3)
- Communicate analysis and reasoning in the written form to both lay and expert audiences (CLO 4.1).
Content
This unit investigates dynamic issues in intellectual property and innovation law and policy. Content is grouped into three broad categories:
1. People: the challenges facing individuals interacting with the IP law system. In particular, this unit will consider Indigenous IP issues and IP; social justice and human rights, such as access to medicine and technological medical innovations and access to educational materials; and how the IP system interacts with systems of power and oppression, including race, gender, colonialism and capitalism.
2. Politics: the broader geopolitical landscape of intellectual property law. Content will include the substance and impact of international agreements, such as those relating to IP and trade, IP and the environment, and IP and health.
3. Practice: IP and innovation law in creative and legal practice, including how the IP system deal with generative AI. This will consider the transactional nature of intellectual property and the associated challenges, for example how creators and users understand and interact with IP contracts and AI systems in practice.
Learning Approaches
Unit content is a rich blended experience, incorporating both face-to-face workshops and online materials. Workshops will include substantive content delivery and practical skills development in critical analysis, giving and receiving feedback, research project management and effective communication.
Online students will be provided with podcasts and learning resources that cover the substantive unit content, the opportunity to participate online in skills-building workshops, and ongoing asynchronous support from staff through discussion forums on Canvas.
This unit employs a problem-based learning approach to structure and conceptualise the unit content and to engage you in your learning. The assessment items are designed to provide you with an opportunity to select and explore the material that aligns with your interests and to build the skills that best complement your career aspirations. They also provide you with the chance to think creatively, work collaboratively, and produce material evidence of your preparedness for legal practice in a rapidly-evolving innovation economy.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback in this unit is provided to you in the following ways:
- a range of formative exercises conducted in face-to-face workshops
- comments on your assessment in addition to feedback via a rubric
- general comments back to the cohort via QUT Canvas, and
- the option of private consultation with a member of the teaching team during student consultation.
Assessment
Overview
Assessment in this unit is both formative and summative. Assessment items are designed to develop your professional skills in critical evaluation, collaboration and communication.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Literature Review
You will submit a Literature Review comprising the following elements:
- a summary (700 words) of an emerging legal issue in intellectual property and innovation law, related to the unit content, which you plan to research for your Assessment 2: Research Paper. The summary should be written in a style that is comprehensible to an educated lay person;
- evidence of peer review provided to another student on their summary and evidence of your response to peer review received on your own summary; and
- a review of the most relevant primary and secondary sources related to the legal issue that you have selected to research (1500 words)
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Research Paper
Acting as a legal researcher, you will write up the results of your research topic from Assessment 1. Your paper must evaluate the scope of the problem and the different legal and policy approaches to the issue in the innovation economy that you have selected.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with this unit.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.LW36 Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
- The impact of technology on key areas of law and legal work
Relates to: ULO1, Literature Review - The application, operation and evolution of law in diverse and changing contexts
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Literature Review, Research Paper - Using legal reasoning and critical thinking in applying law to legal problems and providing legal advice
Relates to: ULO1, Literature Review - Applying critical perspectives, including theoretical, technological, cultural and social perspectives, to evaluate law and policy
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Literature Review, Research Paper - Selecting and using contemporary technologies to effectively search, organise and use information
Relates to: ULO3, Literature Review, Research Paper - Selecting and applying appropriate research methods
Relates to: ULO3, Literature Review, Research Paper - Planning and executing a research project and presenting findings and recommendations
Relates to: ULO3, Literature Review, Research Paper - Knowing and using academic and legal writing conventions and communicating clearly, concisely and persuasively in written forms
Relates to: ULO4, Literature Review, Research Paper
LW37 Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (Graduate Entry)
- The impact of technology on key areas of law and legal work
Relates to: ULO1, Literature Review - The application, operation and evolution of law in diverse and changing contexts
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Literature Review, Research Paper - Using legal reasoning and critical thinking in applying law to legal problems and providing legal advice
Relates to: ULO1, Literature Review - Applying critical perspectives, including theoretical, technological, cultural and social perspectives, to evaluate law and policy
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Literature Review, Research Paper - Selecting and using contemporary technologies to effectively search, organise and use information
Relates to: ULO3, Literature Review, Research Paper - Selecting and applying appropriate research methods
Relates to: ULO3, Literature Review, Research Paper - Planning and executing a research project and presenting findings and recommendations
Relates to: ULO3, Literature Review, Research Paper - Knowing and using academic and legal writing conventions and communicating clearly, concisely and persuasively in written forms
Relates to: ULO4, Literature Review, Research Paper
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2025, Online
| Unit code: | LLH477 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | LLH302. LLH302 can be studied in the same teaching period as LLH477. |
| Assumed Knowledge: | LLB344 is assumed knowledge. Students should have knowledge of the fundamentals of intellectual property law (copyright, patents and trademarks). |
Overview
This unit provides a rich understanding of the most pressing challenges in IP and innovation law right now, and offers opportunities for you to select and deeply explore the legal issues that most align with your interests. You will gain new understandings of the role of IP law in the knowledge economy and in areas as diverse as technology, culture, education, health and business. You will cultivate critical evaluation and decision-making skills that will inform your professional practice as you respond to complex legal problems regarding innovation and empower you to imagine and realise change in the application and operation of IP law.
This unit is offered as an advanced elective in the Law (Honours) degree as part of the Law, Technology and Innovation minor. It builds on the formative knowledge provided in the electives LLB344 Intellectual Property Law.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Analyse the challenges of applying intellectual property law in complex contexts, such as to new technologies like generative AI, developing nations and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge (Course Learning Outcomes 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.3)
- Evaluate the ability of intellectual property law to effectively respond to the social, political and economic challenges of the innovation economy (CLOs 1.5, 2.3)
- Manage, design and produce a research project, including implementing appropriate research methodologies and frameworks and selecting and appraising relevant primary and secondary sources (CLOs 3.1, 3.2, 3.3)
- Communicate analysis and reasoning in the written form to both lay and expert audiences (CLO 4.1).
Content
This unit investigates dynamic issues in intellectual property and innovation law and policy. Content is grouped into three broad categories:
1. People: the challenges facing individuals interacting with the IP law system. In particular, this unit will consider Indigenous IP issues and IP; social justice and human rights, such as access to medicine and technological medical innovations and access to educational materials; and how the IP system interacts with systems of power and oppression, including race, gender, colonialism and capitalism.
2. Politics: the broader geopolitical landscape of intellectual property law. Content will include the substance and impact of international agreements, such as those relating to IP and trade, IP and the environment, and IP and health.
3. Practice: IP and innovation law in creative and legal practice, including how the IP system deal with generative AI. This will consider the transactional nature of intellectual property and the associated challenges, for example how creators and users understand and interact with IP contracts and AI systems in practice.
Learning Approaches
Unit content is a rich blended experience, incorporating both face-to-face workshops and online materials. Workshops will include substantive content delivery and practical skills development in critical analysis, giving and receiving feedback, research project management and effective communication.
Online students will be provided with podcasts and learning resources that cover the substantive unit content, the opportunity to participate online in skills-building workshops, and ongoing asynchronous support from staff through discussion forums on Canvas.
This unit employs a problem-based learning approach to structure and conceptualise the unit content and to engage you in your learning. The assessment items are designed to provide you with an opportunity to select and explore the material that aligns with your interests and to build the skills that best complement your career aspirations. They also provide you with the chance to think creatively, work collaboratively, and produce material evidence of your preparedness for legal practice in a rapidly-evolving innovation economy.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback in this unit is provided to you in the following ways:
- a range of formative exercises conducted in face-to-face workshops
- comments on your assessment in addition to feedback via a rubric
- general comments back to the cohort via QUT Canvas, and
- the option of private consultation with a member of the teaching team during student consultation.
Assessment
Overview
Assessment in this unit is both formative and summative. Assessment items are designed to develop your professional skills in critical evaluation, collaboration and communication.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Literature Review
You will submit a Literature Review comprising the following elements:
- a summary (700 words) of an emerging legal issue in intellectual property and innovation law, related to the unit content, which you plan to research for your Assessment 2: Research Paper. The summary should be written in a style that is comprehensible to an educated lay person;
- evidence of peer review provided to another student on their summary and evidence of your response to peer review received on your own summary; and
- a review of the most relevant primary and secondary sources related to the legal issue that you have selected to research (1500 words)
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Research Paper
Acting as a legal researcher, you will write up the results of your research topic from Assessment 1. Your paper must evaluate the scope of the problem and the different legal and policy approaches to the issue in the innovation economy that you have selected.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with this unit.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.LW36 Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
- The impact of technology on key areas of law and legal work
Relates to: ULO1, Literature Review - The application, operation and evolution of law in diverse and changing contexts
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Literature Review, Research Paper - Using legal reasoning and critical thinking in applying law to legal problems and providing legal advice
Relates to: ULO1, Literature Review - Applying critical perspectives, including theoretical, technological, cultural and social perspectives, to evaluate law and policy
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Literature Review, Research Paper - Selecting and using contemporary technologies to effectively search, organise and use information
Relates to: ULO3, Literature Review, Research Paper - Selecting and applying appropriate research methods
Relates to: ULO3, Literature Review, Research Paper - Planning and executing a research project and presenting findings and recommendations
Relates to: ULO3, Literature Review, Research Paper - Knowing and using academic and legal writing conventions and communicating clearly, concisely and persuasively in written forms
Relates to: ULO4, Literature Review, Research Paper
LW37 Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (Graduate Entry)
- The impact of technology on key areas of law and legal work
Relates to: ULO1, Literature Review - The application, operation and evolution of law in diverse and changing contexts
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Literature Review, Research Paper - Using legal reasoning and critical thinking in applying law to legal problems and providing legal advice
Relates to: ULO1, Literature Review - Applying critical perspectives, including theoretical, technological, cultural and social perspectives, to evaluate law and policy
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Literature Review, Research Paper - Selecting and using contemporary technologies to effectively search, organise and use information
Relates to: ULO3, Literature Review, Research Paper - Selecting and applying appropriate research methods
Relates to: ULO3, Literature Review, Research Paper - Planning and executing a research project and presenting findings and recommendations
Relates to: ULO3, Literature Review, Research Paper - Knowing and using academic and legal writing conventions and communicating clearly, concisely and persuasively in written forms
Relates to: ULO4, Literature Review, Research Paper