LAW5340 Intellectual property
Faculty of Law
LAW5340 Intellectual property is a level 5, 6-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Law, offered in 2026 in Semester 1 at Monash Law Chambers. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 1
- Monash Law Chambers
- Assessment
- No exam
- 2 tasks
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before LAW5340
Prohibitions
You can't enrol if you have passed any of these.
After LAW5340
No unit lists LAW5340 as a prerequisite in the 2026 handbook.
Enrolment rules
For Legal Studies students (L4004, L5004, L6013) you must have completed LAW5000 or LAW5081; and
For Juris Doctor students (L6005), you must have completed 72 points of study.
Overview
The unit introduces the concept and categories of intellectual property law and the interface between them within a national and global context using case studies, and develops awareness of the role of the law in facilitating commercial transactions. Students will evaluate the rationales for and the nature and objectives of a broad range of intellectual property rights including copyright, trademarks, passing off, geographical indications, industrial designs, patents, protection of confidential information (trade secrets), plant breeder's rights and circuit layouts. The unit also examines the major international intellectual property treaties and the relationship of intellectual and industrial property with consumer protection legislation and restrictive trade practices legislation.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Monash Law Chambers | On campus, block |
| Trimester 3 | Monash Law Chambers | On campus, block |
Assessment
- Research assignmentWritten50%
- Written assessmentWritten50%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Compare and contrast the nature and objectives of the common law and statutory regimes protecting trade marks, patents, copyright, designs, confidential information, circuit layouts and plant breeders' rights.
- 2
Research, interpret, evaluate and synthesise legal principles to formulate appropriate responses to complex problems and issues and to generate new understandings;
- 3
Communicate ideas relating to the protection of intellectual property rights to a specified audience in ways that are effective, appropriate and persuasive; and
- 4
Reflect on the role and effectiveness of law in regulating and facilitating commercial transactions.
Workload and teaching
- Workshops24 hours
- Teaching approachActive learning
Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit typically comprises of a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study applicable to a 6 credit point unit. Learning activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning, and online engagement.
Learning resources
Required resources
See the Moodle unit page for prescribed and recommended resources. Prescribed texts are usually available for purchase through the University Bookstore and are sometimes available for short-term loan or as eBooks through the library.
Where it fits
LAW5340 is part of 3 areas of study in the 2026 handbook.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Marnie Brown
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for LAW5340?
LAW5340 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
When is LAW5340 offered?
In 2026, LAW5340 runs in Semester 1 at Monash Law Chambers.
Does LAW5340 have an exam?
No. LAW5340 has 2 assessment tasks and no exam.
Which majors and minors include LAW5340?
LAW5340 is part of Commercial and corporate law; Public sector governance and regulation; and Technology and innovation.