Aims

To acquire:
(1) knowledge of the fundamental principles and doctrines in copyright law
(2) the skills of analysing cases and appreciating legal rules and exceptions to show how a central theme and rationale can be found in the judicial outcome
(3) the ability to apply legal rules to resolve problems
(4) an awareness of how the law affects the development of society and is affected by the society
(5) understanding of how the law is affected by EU law and international conventions


The module addresses the relevant issues of copyright law to demonstrate how the law emerges to deal with new developments in various areas of society. It concentrates on the CDPA 1988 without prejudice to the theoretical bases of copyright and the impact of EU law and international conventions on the law of copyright in England and Wales. Whilst the primary focus is on the law of England and Wales, it conducts comparative studies of other jurisdictions in an effort to illustrate the areas for reform and to help students appreciate the role of copyright in different jurisdictions in an increasingly globalized economy. This module will be of interest to law students as well as students from disciplines of art, film, media and business and so on.

Outline Of Syllabus

1. Introduction to copyright

2. Subject matter and criteria for protection

3. Authorship, ownership and restricted acts

4. Moral rights

5. Duration of copyright

6. Infringement

7. Defences including comparative studies of the fair use exception in the US

8. Performers' Rights

9. Exploitation and limits on copyright

10. Remedies

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The lectures will require participation and advance preparation, as will the seminars. The rationale for this teaching method is to promote analytical, argumentative and critical skills essential for discourse. The learning methods will rely on directed self study for the contact teaching time and independent study for the preparation of assessed coursework which will bring together the knowledge, cognitive, research and the assessed key skills.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The examination provides an important incentive for students to establish a foundation of knowledge in the subject. The unseen examination tests the demonstration of knowledge and understanding in the context of an application of skills that need to be developed over the whole module. The examination provides a means for testing students' ability to analyse, synthesise, deploy critical judgment and evaluate alternative arguments. It also allows candidates to demonstrate intended learning outcomes across a broad range of topics within the syllabus.

The assessed coursework will give students the opportunity to develop and demonstrate their research skills, and their ability to understand the operation of law in the area of copyright, and present coherent arguments supported by appropriate legal basis and precedent.