Intellectual Property Rights, Law and Global Competitiveness - Associate Study Module [Level HE7] part-time by block mode

If you work in the media, digital and creative sector ‚ as a freelancer or as a manager within a larger organisation ‚ knowledge of legislation regarding content creation and intellectual property is essential for your company‚s competitiveness.

This module explores the legislation relating to content creation, ownership and exploitation including copyright, internet rights and business law.

You will consider the importance of intellectual property rights (IPR) in the creative sector for example in patents, trademarks, designs and ideas, websites, broadcasting, images and software. You will study the role of managers, issues of risk management, the generation of income and the development of business strategy based on IPR.

Case studies are an important aspect of the course and will be used to give you an insight into issues of confidentiality, trade secrets and business know-how‚.

You will develop your knowledge of the law in regard to copyright, particularly for digital content; understand back-end‚ rights and issues of merchandising; consider the legal aspects of contracts, staff and licensing in the sector and analyse current and future trends in the field of IPR.

Teaching will be through a mix of lectures, tutorials, workshops, videos, presentations, directed reading and e-learning. You will be expected to plan and organise independent study and you will be assessed on the basis of two assignments ‚ a report and a research project.

In addition, the course will support the development of your personal skills such as team working, oral and written communications, time management and research and analytical skills.