Licensing Law and Technology Transfer

Subject LAWS70209 (2014)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2014.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 7 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2014.

Time Commitment: Contact Hours: The total class time is between 24 and 26 hours.
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites:

Successful completion of Patent Law and Trade Marks and Unfair Competition or equivalent subjects, or appropriate practical experience in these two fields

Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge:

Applicants without legal qualifications should note that subjects are offered in the discipline of law at an advanced graduate level. While every effort will be made to meet the needs of students trained in other fields, concessions will not be made in the general level of instruction or assessment. Most subjects assume the knowledge usually acquired in a degree in law (LLB, JD or equivalent). Applicants should note that admission to some subjects in the Melbourne Law Masters will be dependent upon the individual applicant’s educational background and professional experience.

Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

The Melbourne Law Masters welcomes applications from students with disabilities. The inherent academic requirements for study in the Melbourne Law Masters are:

  • The ability to attend a minimum of 75% of classes and actively engage in the analysis and critique of complex materials and debate;
  • The ability to read, analyse and comprehend complex written legal materials and complex interdisciplinary materials;
  • The ability to clearly and independently communicate in writing a knowledge and application of legal principles and interdisciplinary materials and to critically evaluate these;
  • The ability to clearly and independently communicate orally a knowledge and application of legal principles and interdisciplinary materials and critically evaluate these;
  • The ability to work independently and as a part of a group;
  • The ability to present orally and in writing legal analysis to a professional standard.

Students who feel their disability will inhibit them from meeting these inherent academic requirements are encouraged to contact the Disability Liaison Unit: www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Contact

For more information, contact the Melbourne Law Masters office.

Email: law-masters@unimelb.edu.au
Phone: +61 3 8344 6190
Website: www.law.unimelb.edu.au/masters

Subject Overview:

Technology transfer is a term used to describe the process by which skills, knowledge and intellectual property rights are moved from one person or organisation to another. Governments and businesses around the world now recognise the fundamental importance of innovation and the commercialisation of new technologies to economic prosperity. Here, technology transfer and in particular intellectual property licensing have a vital role. This subject looks at the legal and commercial issues relevant to technology transfer, with a focus on intellectual property licensing and the negotiation of licence agreements. The subject also includes the licensing of trade marks and software. The subject lecturers have worked in the field of technology transfer for many years and bring practical perspectives to the topics covered.

Principal topics will include:

  • Licensing of:
    • Patents and know-how
    • Trade marks, including franchise agreements
    • Copyright, including computer software
  • Impact of competition laws
  • Payments and taxes
  • Contractual and commercial issues
  • Negotiation of licence agreements.
Learning Outcomes:

A student who has successfully completed this subject should:

  • Understand the legal and commercial issues relevant to the licensing of intellectual property rights
  • Understand the negotiation of licence agreements.
Assessment:
  • Participation in workshop and preparation of written materials after workshop (30%) (10 November)
  • Take-home examination (70%) (10 – 15 December)
Prescribed Texts:

Core subject materials will be provided free of charge to all students. Some subjects require further texts to be purchased. Details regarding any prescribed texts will be provided prior to the commencement of the subject.

Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Links to further information: www.law.unimelb.edu.au/subject/LAWS70209/2014

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