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LAW30870

Academic Year 2026/2027

Patent and Trade Mark Law (LAW30870)

Subject:
Law
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Law
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Mina Hosseini
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module introduces students to the concept of Intellectual Property and then focuses on Patents and Trade Marks as two major facets of Intellectual Property Law.

The first part of this module will focus on Patent Law, in particular the topics of: Patent Law’s Foundations; the Patent Application and Grant Process; Patent Infringement and Enforcement; and Public Interest Concerns Relating to Patent Grants. The second part of this module will focus on Trade Mark Law, in particular the topics of: Trade Mark Registrability and Absolute Grounds Refusals; Relative Grounds Refusals and Third Party Oppositions; Trade Mark Infringement and Defences; and Passing Off, Unfair Competition, and Unregistered Rights Considerations.

The module’s structure and content will be guided by relevant legal and regulatory frameworks, but delivery will also highlight relevant case law and emphasise the real-world impact that Intellectual Property Law has on our everyday lives.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to:

- Explain and differentiate between the different forms of intellectual property rights;
- Articulate the foundational principles for the grant of patent and trade mark rights;
- Analyse the foundational principles to justify the existence of intellectual property rights; and
- Engage with contemporary academic debates on intellectual property issues and critically assess why these issues are relevant in real-world contexts, including developments in technology, artificial intelligence and the pharmaceutical sector.

Indicative Module Content:

- Overview of Intellectual Property Law

- Patents: The Foundations of Patent Law; The Patent Application and Grant Process; Patent Infringement and Enforcement; Patents and Public Interest Concerns and Contemporary Issues in Patent Law

- Trade Marks: Registrability and Absolute Grounds for Refusal; Relative Grounds for Refusal and Third-Party Oppositions; Infringement and Defences; and Passing Off, Unfair Competition, and Unregistered Rights


The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

22
Autonomous Student Learning

100
Total

122

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Students will be given reading materials relevant to each session, as well as access to lecture slides, in advance of each session. Students are expected to prepare for each lecture by reading these preparatory materials. This is to facilitate actively participation, for example through class discussions, small-group discussions, on-screen quizzes, etc.



Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

It is recommended that student have studied Law of the European Union before taking this module. It is also recommended that students are familiar with basic legal skills, such as research and reading case law and legislation.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
LAW30740 - Intellectual Property Law


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade Component repeat (in-module) Offered
Exam (Take-Home): Students will be given a set of questions (problem and essay) relating the content of the module. Students will be given a choice of questions to answer across three sections. Week 12 Graded No
70
 No
Quizzes/Short Exercises: Students will be given a list of academic articles (taken from the reading lists of weeks 1-7) and will be required to write a critical analysis of their chosen article. Week 8 Graded No
30
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Group feedback will be given in class throughout the semester, as students work on class activities. This will include peer review activities in class, and tools to self assess their work. Group Feedback will be given when the assignments are submitted. Students are encouraged to ask questions in class and to take part in class activities.

Name Role
Ms Aoife Nic Chraith Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 4, 5, 6, 7 Thurs 14:00 - 15:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 10, 11, 12 Thurs 14:00 - 15:50
Autumn Online Learning Offering 1 Week(s) - 2, 3 Thurs 14:00 - 15:50
Autumn Online Learning Offering 1 Week(s) - 9 Thurs 14:00 - 15:50
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