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LAW41610

Academic Year 2026/2027

Patent Law (LAW41610)

Subject:
Law
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Law
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Dr Katie Nolan
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 examines the law and policy of the patent system. Basic principles and current issues of patent law and policy are approached from a European and international perspective, comparisons with other jurisdictions will be drawn where appropriate.

The module will introduce students to the foundations of modern patent systems, substantive protection criteria, formal registration requirements, exclusions from patentability, and the institutional framework. Advanced topics are addressed critically, including institutionalization and unification at EU level, morality and patents (against the background of biotechnology, research on human embryos), compulsory licenses (incl. SEPs and FRAND) and patent law and policy in international trade.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

Critically reflect on the purpose and objectives of the patent system.
Discuss current challenges to the European and international patent system.
Analyze problems in relation to patentability and exclusions thereto, and patent infringement.
Discuss critically the relation between patent law and policy and human rights in the context of globalization.

Indicative Module Content:

Topics covered vary but include:

Justifications for patent systems.
Institutional aspects of patent systems in the EU and at international level.
Substantive protection criteria (inc exclusions).
Patent Infringement.
Patents, Morality and human rights.
Patent Law in International trade law.

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
Autonomous Student Learning

250
Lectures

24
Total

274

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module is taught primarily through seminars. During seminars, students are expected to participate actively, which requires advance reading and reflection.

Students on this module are expected to have read and understood the UCD Academic Integrity Policy and the School Protocol on Academic Integrity. Students must ensure that they comply with all requirements laid down therein and avoid academic misconduct. Students are not permitted to use generative artificial intelligence, or other machine learning technology, in their learning and in completing assessments on this module. Students are expected to follow Oscola Ireland in citing sources in completing assessments


Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade Component repeat (in-module) Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Class report on assigned topic. Week 12 Graded No
40
 No
Individual Project: Individual presentation on agreed topic. Week 1 Graded No
30
 No
Participation in Learning Activities: Students will be assessed based on frequency and quality of interventions during weekly classes/seminars Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12 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
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Peer review activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback will be provided directly in seminars by the lecturers and students. Feedback on the final assignment will be provided online or in a scheduled feedback session.

Name Role
Dr Katie Nolan 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, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Wed 09:00 - 10:50
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