Course Structure

Students may enrol on a full-time (1 year) or part-time (2 years) basis. Students must complete core modules (80 CATS points), optional modules (40 CATS points) and a research dissertation (60 CATS points).

The Masters is awarded to students who successfully complete all taught modules (120 CATS points) and a research dissertation (60 CATS points).

Compulsory Modules

Foundations of IP Law: Theory, Economics and Policy
Global IP Law, Trade and Technology
Intellectual Property and Creative Industries: Copyright, Designs and Trademarks
Innovation and Creativity Clinic: project-based learning
Approaches to Legal Research
Dissertation (Maximum 15,000 words)
(Students who secure a summer work placement of at least 8 weeks can complete a Dissertation in Practice Module including 12,000 word dissertation and 3,000 word reflective journal of the learning experience)

Optional Modules

Intellectual Property, Green Economy, and Sustainability
Artificial Intelligence, Intellectual Property, and the Law
Metaverse Law: Copyright, Trademarks, and Immersive Technologies
Platform Regulation: IP Enforcement and Content Moderation
Advanced International Trade Law and Policy
Business and Human Rights

Please note this is not an exclusive list of the optional modules available. Optional modules are reviewed each year and subject to staff availability and student numbers.

Contact Teaching Hours

Small Group Teaching/Personal Tutorial

8 (hours maximum)
In addition to 6-8 hrs of teaching per week, students should set aside 10-12 hours per module for reading and preparation to engage meaningfully in classroom discussions, group work and other forms of active engagement.

Learning and Teaching

Learning opportunities associated with the course are outlined below:

• Learning and Teaching Opportunities

  The Law School at Queen's has approximately 1,000 undergraduate students, 200 postgraduates, 70 PhD students and over 60 members of academic staff. You will be taught by scholars from all over the world, many of whom have international reputations in their fields and all are committed teachers and researchers. Students will also have access to an excellent law section in the library and extensive IT facilities.
  
  The School operates a proactive system of student support. Programme Co-ordinators are allocated to each degree programme tasked to guide and support you throughout your time with us, together with the School's experienced and helpful administrative staff. We place considerable emphasis on facilitating good communication between staff and students. To this end, a Student Voice Committee, comprised of elected student representatives, the Director of Graduate Studies and other members of academic staff, meet at regular intervals throughout the academic year. This Committee provides students with a forum in which to raise matters of concern to them and also enables the School to keep students informed about matters affecting the School and wider university.
  
  At Queen’s, we aim to deliver a high quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation and best practice in learning, teaching and student support to enable students to achieve their full academic potential.
  
  We do this by providing a range of learning experiences which enables our students to engage with subject experts, develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society and make use of innovative technologies and a world class library that enhances their development as independent, life-long learners. Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this course are:
  - E-Learning technologies: Information associated with lectures and assignments is communicated via a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Canvas. A range of e-learning experiences are also embedded in the programme through, for example: interactive group workshops in a flexible learning space; podcasts and interactive web-based learning activities; opportunities to use IT programmes associated with design in project- based work, etc.
  - Seminars: Seminars provide information about topics as a starting point for further self-directed private study/reading. Seminars also provide opportunities to ask questions, gain some feedback and advice on assessments.
  - Self-directed study: This is an essential part of life as a Queen’s Law student when important private reading and research, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on feedback to date and assignment research and preparation work is carried out.

Assessment

Assessments associated with the course are outlined below:

• Assessed coursework
• Dissertation

Modules

• Year 1

  Core Modules

  Approaches to Legal Research (10 credits)

  ×

  Approaches to Legal Research

  Overview

  What motivates legal research? In addition to the principles and methods that guide the design and implementation of a specific research project, we also ought to have some sense of the broader ‘research programme’ or ‘theoretical framework’ that animates our work. Students will be introduced to several important theoretical frameworks and research programmes from which they might draw some helpful inspiration.
  
  Legal scholarship is no longer limited to the analysis of legal doctrine. Many legal scholars engage in empirically-oriented research that investigates how law interacts with other social phenomena. Legal scholars hope to illuminate the causal connections between law and other aspects of the social world. Legal research of this kind is rewarding but it also comes with special methodological challenges. This module will introduce students to some fundamental principles of research design and methodology, covering both ‘qualitative’ and ‘quantitative’ social science methods.

  Learning Outcomes

  By the end of this module, students should be able to
  • critically evaluate the merits and weaknesses of various theoretical frameworks and approaches to legal scholarship
  • critically evaluate empirical academic research in terms of its methodology

  Skills

  • reading and synthesizing academic work
  • academic writing
  • social science methodology
  • designing an empirical research plan

  Coursework

  100%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  0%

  Credits

  10

  Module Code

  LAW7817

  Teaching Period

  Spring

  Duration

  4 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Core

  Dissertation (Intellectual Property Law) (60 credits)

  ×

  Dissertation (Intellectual Property Law)

  Overview

  Researching an approved legal topic under supervision and presenting the results as a dissertation or report of maximum 15,000 words

  Learning Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate a detailed knowledge and understanding of a chosen subset of the programme themes
  2. Demonstrate capacity to build a detailed and sustained argument around a research question
  3. Demonstrate advanced knowledge of available research methodologies in the study of law and in the social sciences.
  4. Demonstrate understanding of the skills required in order to carry out research in law and the social sciences.
  5. Demonstrate a detailed knowledge and understanding of core issues regarding the current challenges for governance.

  Skills

  • Advanced written skills
  • Ability to learn independently
  • Ability to use information and communication technologies.
  • Ability to think creatively and holistically and to make critical judgements

  Coursework

  100%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  0%

  Credits

  60

  Module Code

  LAW7877

  Teaching Period

  Summer

  Duration

  12 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Core

  Innovation & Creativity Clinic: Project Based Learning (10 credits)

  ×

  Innovation & Creativity Clinic: Project Based Learning

  Overview

  Project Based Learning (PBL) is a pedagogical approach built upon a real-world case in which students learn through the experience of problem-solving. Through examining current real-world case studies across diverse technological fields, this course intends to engage students with a problem to investigate and have to come up with possible solutions.
  The class will be divided into groups and each group will be allotted a case study. Throughout the semester, students will work in a group to understand and analyse the problem and offer a solution to the problem. At the end of the semester, each group will present their findings before the panel composed of industry experts (members of law firms).
  The module convenor will meet groups regularly to assess their progress and provide feedback generally.

  Learning Outcomes

  This innovative approach of academic exercise will develop student skills such as research, communication/ presentation and ability to work in a collaborative environment. By the end of the module, students will develop the following skills::
  • problem-solving;
  • critical thinking and analysis;
  • information processing skills. ;
  • learning by doing/ questioning;
  • collaborative learning;
  • capacity of offering clear solutions

  Skills

  Presentation Skills
  Critical Thinking Skills
  Analytical and Application Skills
  Research Skills

  Coursework

  100%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  0%

  Credits

  10

  Module Code

  LAW7846

  Teaching Period

  Spring

  Duration

  6 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Core

  Intellectual Property and Creative Industries : Copyright, Designs and Trademarks (20 credits)

  ×

  Intellectual Property and Creative Industries : Copyright, Designs and Trademarks

  Overview

  This module will focus on exploring the legal challenges and opportunities posed by the intersection of intellectual property (IP) law and the creative industries, with emphasis on copyright, trademarks and designs. This is a rapidly evolving field with significant implications for a wide range of industries and sectors. Moreover, the creative industries contribute enormously to the national economy, with the UK government recently reporting that the creative sector generated £76.9 billion towards the country’s economy in 2013.The module will focus on a range of topics, including the legal framework for the protection of creative works, the impact of new technologies on the creative industries, and the challenges and opportunities posed by global trade and investment. The module will explore a number of questions, topics and sub-topics, including:
  (1) a multi-jurisdictional review of creative industries, their dynamics and economics, including how the disruptive effects of macro-economic, social and technological changes might force a re-consideration of traditional business models and the role of IP for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the digital creative economy;
  (2) a broad introduction to subject matter, ownership, exclusive rights, infringement, defences, enforcement and remedies for each relevant IP regimes, with emphasis on copyright, trademarks and designs;
  (3) the existing justifications, scope and ambition of different IP regimes critically discussed in the context of the creative industries and the market incentives that IP can provide;
  (4) practical insights into cross-cutting issues in creative industries such as (i) assignment and licensing of IP; (ii) legal challenges posed by AI-generated creative works; (iii) the impact of digital platforms on the music industry and the video-game industry or the use of IP protected works on social media platforms; (iv) new challenges for trademark protection and unfair competition, such as offensive and scandalous trademarks, trademark dilution and the protection of well-known marks, developments in the area of non-traditional trademarks, character merchandising and personality merchandising; (v) interactions and management of IP, fashion designs, and luxury goods; (vi) non-conventional forms of creativity, such as graffiti, recipes or comedians’ jokes
  (5) an international and comparative perspective, with special emphasis on the UK and the EU, including the implications of global trade agreements for the protection of IP rights in the creative industries;
  (6) policy considerations, drawing from case studies in several jurisdictions.

  Learning Outcomes

  After taking this module, students will be expected to:
  • acquire general knowledge concerning the interface between Creative industries and intellectual property law, including copyright, designs and trademarks;
  • identify and reflect upon the various justifications and aims underpinning the IP regimes in the creative industries
  • acquire knowledge of the legal framework related to copyright, trademarks and designs, with emphasis on UK and EU law and case law;
  • understand the market effects of larger availability of AI technologies and robot, with emphasis on the market for creativity and innovation;
  • master a comparative, cross-jurisdictional understanding of the regulatory framework for IP in the creative industries;
  • develop the ability to reflect on how technological innovation’s disruptive effects might force a re-consideration of traditional business models in the creative industries;
  • develop critical understanding in connection to practical problems in the regulation of creative/IP content in the creative industries from a global international perspective;
  • enhance capacity in formulating arguments to solve new emerging legal problems in a fast-developing technological context.

  Skills

  Presentation Skills
  Critical Thinking Skills
  Analytical and Application Skills
  Research Skills

  Coursework

  100%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  0%

  Credits

  20

  Module Code

  LAW7876

  Teaching Period

  Autumn

  Duration

  12 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Core

  Global IP Law, Trade and Technology (20 credits)

  ×

  Global IP Law, Trade and Technology

  Overview

  The module examines the emerging issues in global intellectual property (IP) law and its increasing interactions/clashes with other fields such as trade, technology, investment, and human rights.
  The global IP regime has evolved through national experiences and common challenges faced by countries. However, international harmonisation of IP via minimum standards of protection implemented in most jurisdictions worldwide has also created tension between national law and legislators in terms of regulating IP vis-a-vis global obligations. In addition, the steady increase in IP interactions with different branches of law, such as investment law and agreements, has threatened the objectives of – and the balance achieved through – international IP harmonisation. Finally, emerging and disruptive technologies had a critical impact on traditional IP norms, further destabilising the international IP system.
  In order to disentangle these emerging complexities and imbalances of the global IP system, the module adopts a ‘glocal’ approach focusing on different jurisdictions (UK/European, Asian, and African practices) to the end of covering:
  (i) rationale, institutions, and actors of the international IP system;
  (ii) the trade-based approach to IP in the context of multilateral trading system and international IP treaties;
  (iii) protection of IP rights through free trade agreements;
  (iv) interface between trademarks and other regimes for the protection of geographical indications;
  (vii) the interface between IP rights, traditional knowledge and cultural expressions, and the rights of local communities and indigenous peoples;
  (v) emerging global issues at the intersection of IP, access to knowledge, and education, in a cross-border, possibly digital, environment;
  (vi) IP overlaps with trade and investment agreements;
  (vii) intersections between IP and international dispute resolution.

  Learning Outcomes

  At the end of the module, students will be able to :
  • develop a deeper understanding of global IP system, its operation, and issues and challenges.
  • understand how IP rules are applied in their wider social, economic, and political context.
  • understand contemporary debates on global IP rights and their implications to national systems
  • appreciate how divergences in national approaches and socio-cultural responses to innovation can be accommodated within the international framework
  • understand the international legal framework for the protection of trademarks and unfair competition
  • develop the ability to analyse IP policy that reflects social responsibility and balanced consideration of public/private interests
  • apply legal rules and principles to practical, real-world scenarios in developing solutions to client-based problems, particularly in cross-border settings
  • develop understanding of technologies issues in global IP landscape

  Skills

  Presentation Skills
  Critical Thinking Skills
  Analytical and Application Skills
  Research Skills

  Coursework

  100%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  0%

  Credits

  20

  Module Code

  LAW7875

  Teaching Period

  Autumn

  Duration

  12 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Core

  Foundations of IP Law, Theory, Economics & Policy (20 credits)

  ×

  Foundations of IP Law, Theory, Economics & Policy

  Overview

  This module provides a basic understanding of intellectual property (IP) theory and practice. The module is divided into three parts.
  Part I of the module will focus on the salient features of intellectual property rights. It will explore in detail the theoretical foundation of intellectual property law by covering: taxonomy, history, theory and social function of IP law. In particular, this Part will cover the historical developments of IP law from the early to the modern period. It will also review the basic justifications of intellectual property law (patents, copyright, trademark, and design law) by discussing deontological theories such as the natural rights-based justifications of IP (eg Lockean theory/Hegel personality theory) or the Utilitarian Incentives-based theories. This Part will also discuss the so-called IP paradox and the social function of IP.
  Part II will adopt an economics and socio-legal approach in examining IP law by considering: IP economics, commons-based theory, and the effects of IP rights on innovation. (1) It will first examine the economics of IP rights highlighting its relevance in protecting against market failure; discussing notion such as marginal cost of production, dead-weight loss, and rent seeking; focusing on international technology transfer; and commercialization of intellectual property including intellectual property due diligence and valuation. (2) This part will also focus on commons-based theory, as an alternative to Demsetzian propertisation, including gift economy models (eg free software or community-based/communal intellectual property with emphasis on geographical indications, traditional knowledge, expression of folklore, and genetic resources). (3) Finally, this Section will dig deeper into a review of the tension between the leverage power of right holders in holding out innovation and the effects of IP rights on economic progress. The entire history of IP – from piano rolls to the Internet - is a struggle between innovators and rightsholders to define the scope of the monopoly of the latter and whether innovations that make use of IP protected content should be covered or not by that monopoly.
  Part III will cover intellectual property and public interest debates by examining emerging issues related to the potential construction of IP as a fundamental right and the tension of IP with other competing fundamental rights, including freedom of expression, freedom to access information, personality rights, privacy, freedom to conduct a business or due process (eg in the case of online algorithmic content moderation and enforcement).
  The module adopts a comparative approach in examining above mentioned topic by reviewing international and national practices.

  Learning Outcomes

  After taking this module, students will be expected to:
  · critically discuss concepts, principles, and theories related to IP and its understanding in a wider societal context.
  · critically evaluate emerging challenging of IP and public interest
  · analyse and synthesis emerging issues of IP and fundamental rights including the digital environment.
  · identify relevant principles and strategies for digital enforcement
  · discuss philosophical and economic justifications for intellectual property rights

  Skills

  Presentation Skills
  Critical Thinking Skills
  Analytical and Application Skills
  Research Skills

  Coursework

  100%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  0%

  Credits

  20

  Module Code

  LAW7874

  Teaching Period

  Autumn

  Duration

  12 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Core

  Optional Modules

  Advanced Int Trade Law&Policy (20 credits)

  ×

  Advanced Int Trade Law&Policy

  Overview

  The focus of this module will be the exploration and analysis of the normative framework governing the UK’s external trade relations and the main legal and political challenges the UK faces in developing and implementing this important area of foreign policy.
  
  One consequence of the UK’s decision to leave the EU is that the competence to carry out an external trade policy, which had hitherto been carried out exclusively by the EU, will be repatriated to the UK. The UK will therefore have to craft its own external trade policy. This will entail, for example, the setting of its own external tariff system, the development of unilateral trade policy measures (e.g., trade defence instruments and preferential treatment systems) and the negotiation of bilateral, regional and multilateral trade agreements. The UK’s trade policy will have to be developed within the context of a normative framework which encompasses international law (including the rules of the World Trade Organisation) as well as a growing body UK trade legislation.
  
  The module will be subdivided into three components. The fist component will deal with the constitutional and legal framework underpinning the UK trade policy. It will look at issues such as the status of the UK’s membership within the WTO, the decision-making process through which the UK can negotiate trade agreements, the role devolved authorities will play in shaping trade policy and the legal effect of international trade rules in the UK’s domestic system. The second component of the module will focus on the substantive aspects of UK external trade policy by examining both how the UK can use such policy to advance and protect economic interests and values. This will include an analysis of the UK’s approach to negotiating trade agreements and how such agreements interact with other policy and regulatory areas, trade with developing countries and tackling unfair trading practices. The third component will examine the legal dimension of the UK’s trade relationship with its biggest trading partner: the EU. It will, in particular, deal with the challenges associated with Northern Ireland’s potentially unique trading status post-Brexit.

  Learning Outcomes

  At the end of the learning process each student should have acquired:
  
  • an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the constitutional and regulatory framework governing the UK’s external trade relations and the main legal and political challenges the UK faces in developing and implement this area of foreign policy
  • a critical awareness of the international legal framework within which UK trade policy is exercised
  • an ability to critically asses the UK’s role and actions as an international trade actor in light of contemporary debates relating to globalisation issues
  • an ability to conduct independent research and to articulate coherent legal arguments.

  Skills

  At the end of the module each student will be able to:
  
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of international and domestic legal framework underpinning UK trade policy
  • Engage in critical analysis and evaluation of the interaction between UK trade policy and other policy areas
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Northern Ireland’s distinct trading status within the UK and the EU
  • Synthesise relevant and directed readings with independent research, and present findings both orally and in written format.
  • Engage in independent study and research and to develop skills around self-directed learning and to exercise initiative in the learning process.
  • Show an ability to construct coherent legal arguments orally and in writing

  Coursework

  100%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  0%

  Credits

  20

  Module Code

  Teaching Period

  Spring

  Duration

  12 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Optional

  Business and Human Rights (20 credits)

  ×

  Business and Human Rights

  Overview

  This module will familiarise students with key debates regarding the corporation's role in society. Students will explore work on business and human rights and corporate citizenship, specifically with regard to global corporations and global supply chains.
  
  This course will covers some (but not necessarily all) of the following topics in any given year, and other topics may be added from time-to-time: the human rights obligations of corporations to workers, host countries, other stakeholders, the rise of corporate social responsibility reporting, global initiatives and frameworks, the Ruggie principles, the role of civil society in corporate regulation and self-regulation etc, corporate promotion of labour standards, human rights considerations in international corporate investment.

  Learning Outcomes

  • Knowledge and understanding of ideas of corporate responsibility.
  • Familiarity with legal frameworks regarding the integration of human rights considerations and corporate social responsibility.
  • Understanding of the application of the theoretical constructs to “real world” cases and situations.

  Skills

  • Oral and written communication skills, as appropriate to LLM-level scholarship
  • An advanced knowledge of and ability to understand and critically evaluate key theories, concepts, principles, rules and values in corporate social responsibility, building on previous work within the programme
  • An advanced awareness, critical understanding of and engagement with legal and policy debates, specifically in the area of corporate social responsibility, and an ability to tie those debates to debates encountered in previous modules.
  • An advanced capacity to synthesise relevant primary and secondary literatures in corporate social responsibility and to use those literatures to formulate new arguments
  • An advanced ability to engage in self-managed, self-directed and intellectually independent research, to reflect on one’s own learning, to solve problems, make decisions, to develop work both as an individual and in collaboration with others as appropriate and to offer evidenced conclusions addressing complex actual or hypothetical problems.
  • An advanced ability to recognise and rank issues in terms of their relevance and importance.
  • An advanced awareness of legal and regulatory regimes and of their impact with regard to corporate social responsibility building on previous work within the programme
  • An ability to use information technologies for communication, data retrieval and analysis as appropriate to the module
  • Engagement with one’s own personal and professional development and academic integrity

  Coursework

  100%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  0%

  Credits

  20

  Module Code

  LAW7807

  Teaching Period

  Spring

  Duration

  12 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Optional

  (Metaverse Law) Copyright, Trademarks & Immersive Technologies (10 credits)

  ×

  (Metaverse Law) Copyright, Trademarks & Immersive Technologies

  Overview

  Digital technologies have transformed the way that creative content is produced, distributed and used, disrupting long-standing business models and traditional revenue streams, and enabling the emergence of new business models. This module would focus on exploring the legal challenges and opportunities posed by the intersection of copyright law, trademark law, the creative industries, and emerging technologies such as virtual reality, augmented reality, and immersive technologies, including how the Metaverse might impact the traditional creative industries. Three main questions will be investigated in detail:
  (i) How do copyright and trademark laws apply to the protection and distribution of creative works in the digital age?
  (ii) How are the internet and digital platforms impacting the creative industries and the protection of intellectual property rights?
  (iii) How are virtual reality, augmented reality, and immersive technologies impacting the creative industries and the protection of intellectual property rights?
  (1) First, this module provides students with the opportunity to explore critically the various policy and doctrinal aspects of contemporary copyright issues as they impact the creation, dissemination and use of creative and cultural goods within the digital environment.
  (2) Second, in the trademark context, the impact of emerging technologies, including 3D printing and virtual reality platforms, on traditional legal norms and business models, will be analysed and discussed as well as the impact of the internet and digital technologies on cybersquatting, internet keyword searches, and the resolution of domain name disputes in cyberspace.
  (3) Third, the module will consider the challenges of providing high level of protection for right holders within the digital environment, while maintaining an appropriate balance with other public policy goals such as education, research and innovation, access to our shared cultural heritage, and more.
  (4) Overall, this module will be also engaged with issues and challenges posed by the Metaverse about how trademark owners, creators and artists can protect and enforce IP rights in this space. For example, the module will review the legal frameworks that apply to virtual property and assets in the Metaverse, including how these frameworks might differ from those that apply to physical property and assets.

  Learning Outcomes

  Upon successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
  
  • understand trademark and copyright law as it applies to a number of issues relevant to the digital environment within a UK, European, and international content
  • differentiate between approaches taken to trademark and copyright policy and doctrine within the pre-digital era, and the adaptation and development of those existing norms within the digital environment
  • acquire general knowledge concerning the interface between copyright, trademarks, immersive technologies, virtual reality, augmented reality, and the metaverse
  • acquire knowledge of the related legal framework;
  • understand the ethical and societal challenges related to immersive technologies and the metaverse;
  • master a comparative, cross-jurisdictional understanding of the regulatory framework;
  • develop the ability to reflect on the immersive technologies’ disruptive effects on traditional business models;
  • develop critical thinking skills in connection to practical problems in metaverse, virtual realities regulations from a global international perspective;
  • research, evaluate and criticise constructively recent developments and legal arguments in this domain;
  • enhance research and writing skills in formulating arguments to solve new emerging legal problems in a fast-developing technological context.

  Skills

  Presentation Skills
  Critical Thinking Skills
  Analytical and Application Skills
  Research Skills

  Coursework

  100%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  0%

  Credits

  10

  Module Code

  LAW7870

  Teaching Period

  Spring

  Duration

  6 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Optional

  Platform Regulation:IP Enforcement & Content Moderation (10 credits)

  ×

  Platform Regulation:IP Enforcement & Content Moderation

  Overview

  The focus of this module will be the exploration and analysis of the impact of online platform in modern society, the construction of online markets and its implications for law and regulation. As a lawyer, entrepreneur, or policy maker working at the forefront of Internet and technology industry, you must know whether and when access providers and communications platforms like Google, Twitter and Facebook are liable for their users’ online activities. This is one of the most relevant emerging issue for online businesses and a key factor that effects innovation and free speech.
  (1) This course will provide an in-depth exploration of legal, policy and ethical issues facing platforms and online intermediaries from a national and international perspective, focusing on long standing and emerging new legislation, such as the e-Commerce Directive and Regulations, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, the Communication Decency Act § 230, the GDPR, the Copyright in the Digital Single Market Directive, the proposed Online Safety Bill, and the newly enacted Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act.
  (2) In this course, you will learn about novel issues of Internet jurisdiction and innovation regulation.
  (3) The course will discuss law and case law dealing with platforms’ intermediate liability for copyright, trademark, and privacy infringement, including data protection obligations under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the right to be forgotten.
  (4) Also, this course focuses on the role of Internet platforms and service providers in moderating the speech they carry for customers, including obligations and liabilities for defamation, hate and dangerous speech, revenge porn, and disinformation.
  (5) We will also review the tension between innovators and property owners leveraging their hold-out powers to block progress by challenging the legality of innovative technologies under the assumption that they may infringe their intellectual property and other rights.
  (6) Finally, we will look into enforcement strategies that governments and private parties around the world adopt to press intermediaries to block their users’ undesirable or infringing online content, such as voluntary agreements, three-strikes policies, blocking orders, and administrative enforcement and extra-territorial enforcement of online intermediaries’ obligations.

  Learning Outcomes

  Upon successful completion of the module students will be able to :
  • critically discuss the national and international regulatory and legal frameworks within which platforms develop;
  • describe platforms’ obligations and liabilities for IP enforcement and content moderation at large;
  • discuss online enforcement strategies for IP and other infringing content, including content infringing privacy, personality rights or public laws;
  • discuss the challenges that platform regulation portends, also in terms of innovation and technology policy;
  • critically assess claims about the social importance and value of the platform economy

  Skills

  Presentation Skills
  Critical Thinking Skills
  Analytical and Application Skills
  Research Skills

  Coursework

  100%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  0%

  Credits

  10

  Module Code

  LAW7849

  Teaching Period

  Spring

  Duration

  6 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Optional

  Dissertation in Practice (60 credits)

  ×

  Dissertation in Practice

  Overview

  This module is designed to allow students to engage in independent research and to develop independent study, analysis and methodological skills, in the context of a placement or internship with non-governmental, legal, commercial or governmental organisations that operate in arenas that are relevant to their LLM research.
  
  NOTE: students are encouraged to explore internship options independently with relevant entities. Any particular placement must be approved by the module and/or programme convenors.

  Learning Outcomes

  1. Ability to reflect critically on personal practice/engagement in the fields relevant to the LLM while working in collaboration with relevant host organisations
  2. Ability to undertake an extended research Dissertation based on tasks/learning undertaken while on placement;
  3. Enhanced communication, presentation and networking skills.

  Skills

  • Advanced writing skills
  • An advanced knowledge of and ability to understand and critically evaluate key theories, concepts, principles, rules and values in the chosen area of law
  • An advanced awareness, critical understanding of and engagement with legal and policy debates, building on scholarship already undertaken in the course of studies
  • An advanced capacity to synthesise relevant primary and secondary literatures in the area and to use those literatures to formulate new arguments
  • An advanced ability to design and engage in self-managed, self-directed and intellectually independent research, to reflect on one’s own learning, to solve problems, make decisions, to develop work both as an individual and in collaboration with others as appropriate and to offer evidenced conclusions addressing complex actual or hypothetical problems.
  • Advanced ability to judge critically the merits of methodologies from different disciplines, and to make reasoned choices between different positions and approaches
  • Advanced ability to use, present and critically evaluate information, ability to synthesise and identify central issues from a large amount of complex legal information and information from other disciplines and to draw on scholarship encountered in the course of one’s LLM
  • Advanced knowledge and understanding of research ethics and ability to mainstream ethical considerations with research as appropriate to the project
  • Advanced ability to engage with, manage and respond to supervision
  • Engagement with one’s own personal and professional development and academic integrity

  Coursework

  100%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  0%

  Credits

  60

  Module Code

  LAW7836

  Teaching Period

  Summer

  Duration

  12 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Optional

  Artificial Intelligence and the Law (20 credits)

  ×

  Artificial Intelligence and the Law

  Overview

  This module will explore thorny questions related to Artificial Intelligence (AI), Intellectual Property (IP) and the law by dissecting legal, policy and ethical issues concerning AI impact on creativity and innovation. In particular, after an introduction of AI as a technology and the disruptive effects of AI on society and the market for creativity and innovation, this module will examine multiple roles played by AI in innovative and creative processes. In this context, this module will consider AI as (1) a person, (2) a (machine) learner, (3) a creator, (4) an innovator, (5) an administrator, (6) an infringer and (7) an enforcer.
  In doing so, this module will discuss an emerging debate on intelligent machine and legal personality; legal issues related to data protection in machine learning processes, including a discussion of trade secret, "ownership" of data, rights to personal data; legal issues related to the protection of AI software via copyright, patents or trade secrets; legal issues about the protection and ownership of AI-generated works and inventions; the potential use of AI in facilitating administration of legal processes, with emphasis on blockchain for digital right management, use of AI for patent and trade mark examination and smart contracts; the liability of intelligent machines for damages they might cause, both in the IP and other contexts, such as personalised medicine or autonomous driving; and the use of artificial intelligence for content moderation of miscellaneous rights online, including the enforcement of intellectual property rights.
  The module will review the mentioned legal aspects of AI by providing a comparative review of multiple international jurisdictions with special emphasis on the United Kingdom, the European Union and the United States.

  Learning Outcomes

  After taking this module, students will be expected to:
  • acquire general knowledge concerning the interface between artificial intelligence and law;
  • acquire knowledge of the legal framework related to artificial intelligence and data protection, copyright law, patent law, trade secrets, tort law, content moderation;
  • understand the ethical and societal challenges related to artificial intelligence;
  • understand the challenges that artificial intelligence might pose to fundamental rights, in particular freedom of expression, freedom to access information, right to privacy and due process;
  • understand the market effects of larger availability of AI technologies and robot, with emphasis on the market for creativity and innovation;
  • master a comparative, cross-jurisdictional understanding of the regulatory framework for AI;
  • develop the ability to reflect on how AI’s disruptive effects on traditional business models might force a re-consideration of legal personhood, and the tort and IP legal framework;
  • develop critical thinking skills in connection to practical problems in AI regulations from a global international perspective;
  • enhance research and writing skills in formulating arguments to solve new emerging legal problems in a fast-developing technological context.

  Skills

  Skills
  Presentation Skills
  Critical Thinking Skills
  Analytical and Application Skills
  Research Skills

  Coursework

  100%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  0%

  Credits

  20

  Module Code

  LAW7863

  Teaching Period

  Spring

  Duration

  12 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Optional

  IP, Green Economy, and Sustainability (20 credits)

  ×

  IP, Green Economy, and Sustainability

  Overview

  This module will explore the emerging issues and challenges of intellectual property laws and sustainability through the perspective of innovation, technology, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Sustainability is defined through interconnected pillars that include environmental, economic, and social issues. It aims to bring economic and cultural change to provide more durable production and to the consumption of natural resources. In this context, sustainability can be embedded in intellectual property law in two ways; as an inventive and as a control.
  In this regard, the module will dissect; (i) the role of intellectual property in fulfilling UN SDGs; (ii) examine the principles in patent, design, and trademark law to accommodate emerging issues of the right to repair/ recycle/reuse/sharing/lending in demand of circular economies (iii) addressing diverse IPR-related issues, including green technologies, food innovation, and greenwashing.
  The module will also engage with the recent initiative of the European Patent Office to promote green technology and technologies for mitigation and adaptation against climate change. Similarly, the module will review recent policy initiatives taken by intergovernmental organizations such as the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNCEP), among others to critically evaluate the challenges and opportunities related to intellectual property and sustainability.
  The module adopts a comparative approach in examining above mentioned issues by reviewing sustainability practices of multiple jurisdictions including emerging economies, with a special focus on the European Union, the UK, and the United States.

  Learning Outcomes

  At the end of the module students will be able to :
  · identify challenges related to intellectual property, sustainability, and innovation and to analyse critically emerging policy initiatives.
  · discuss the role of IP national offices/policy in promoting sustainability
  · critically evaluate, understand and reflect intellectual property and sustainability challenges into opportunities.
  · describe how sustainable development goals…

  Skills

  Presentation Skills
  Critical Thinking Skills
  Analytical and Application Skills
  Research Skills

  Coursework

  100%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  0%

  Credits

  20

  Module Code

  LAW7872

  Teaching Period

  Spring

  Duration

  12 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Optional

Entrance requirements

Graduate

Applicants with a primary Law degree: Normally a strong 2.2 Honours degree in Law (with a minimum of 55%) or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Applicants with a 2:2 Honours degree in Law with less than 55% (or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) along with a minimum of 2 years relevant experience may be considered.

Applicants with a primary degree in a relevant/cognate subject: Normally applicants with a 2:1 Honours degree or above (or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) in Social Sciences, Humanities, Life Science, Computer Science or a cognate discipline.

Applicants with a minimum of a 2:2 Honours degree (or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) along with a minimum of 2 years relevant experience may be considered.

Exemption from these requirements may be considered for those applicants who hold a Master's degree in a relevant subject (or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University.

Admission under Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) may be considered for this course. The University's Recognition of Prior Learning Policy provides guidance on the assessment of experiential learning (RPEL). Please visit http://go.qub.ac.uk/RPLpolicy for more information.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 16th August 2024 for courses which commence in late September. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal. Notifications to this effect will appear on the Direct Application Portal against the programme application page.

International Students

Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region. Use the dropdown list below for specific information for your country/region.

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English Language Requirements

Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required. *Taken within the last 2 years.

International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.

Career Prospects

Introduction

This employer focused programme places employability skills at the core of the student experience (including problem-based learning and leadership modules), introducing students to the interplay of and interfaces between IP law, creative industries, technological development and global public interest policy challenges.

Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills

In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.

Tuition Fees

Northern Ireland (NI) 1	£7,300
Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2	£7,300
England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1	£9,250
EU Other 3	£21,500
International	£21,500

¹EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled status, will be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB will be charged the GB fee.

² EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI are eligible for NI tuition fees.

³ EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.

All tuition fees quoted relate to a single year of study unless stated otherwise. Tuition fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

More information on postgraduate tuition fees.

Additional course costs

All Students

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.

Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £75 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges.

Students undertaking a period of work placement or study abroad, as either a compulsory or optional part of their programme, should be aware that they will have to fund additional travel and living costs.

If a programme includes a major project or dissertation, there may be costs associated with transport, accommodation and/or materials. The amount will depend on the project chosen. There may also be additional costs for printing and binding.

Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen.

There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.

How to Apply

Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

Apply now

Terms and Conditions

The terms and conditions that apply when you accept an offer of a place at the University on a taught programme of study.
Queen's University Belfast Terms and Conditions.

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