Intellectual property law

Abstract

Intellectual property law is a demanding but rewarding and enjoyable subject. It covers a range of diverse rights, some of which have little in common with others. Students should keep in mind that, although some rights may be quite different from others, a number of rights may exist in respect of the same subject-matter. For example, a new design of plastic bottle for tomato ketchup may be protected by design law (registered and unregistered), trade mark law and the law of passing off. The label attached to the bottle may be protected by artistic and literary copyright. Students are likely to get extra marks if they can demonstrate that they understand the overlap between the different intellectual property rights. This book is a revision guide. It is intended to help focus students on the key areas in which they are likely to be examined. It also acts as an aide-mémoire, picking out key cases and statutes. It is no substitute for textbooks and other materials with which students should be familiar. Students should also be aware that this revision guide cannot cover all the ground which may be covered in a module on intellectual property. For example, it has not been possible to cover areas such as rights in performances.