COURSES

Content

This list of topics is taught in the following order throughout the semester:

• General introduction to intellectual property law: principles and fundamental concepts
• Patent law: focus on the European patent system
• Trade names
• Trade marks: focus on the EU trade mark system
• Copyright in works and software: focus on the harmonised aspects
• Sui generis right in databases
• Neighbouring rights (AKA connected rights): focus on the harmonised aspects
• Protection of trade secrets (if time permits)
• Design protection: focus on the EU design system (if time permits)

Learning outcomes

1. Possess knowledge on and insight in the broader domain of IP rights.
2. Recognize and define IP rights and distinguish between them.
3. Correctly name, clarify and apply advanced concepts in relation to copyright, neighbouring rights, trade mark law and patent law.
   rights.
4. Autonomously find links between various IP rights and between the aspects of IP
5. Autonomously analyse practical cases and come up with creative answers from a legal and multidisciplinary context, where IP rights form or can form one aspect
   of the solution.
6. Find, interpret, apply, juxtapose and critically approach sources of European Union (EU) IP law and sources of international IP law.
   a critical mindset.
7. Sense IP-related developments in a broader social context and frame them with
8. Have awareness of the differences in national legal cultures and of the importance of national sovereignty that persist in the context of IP law, despite general trends of increased harmonization, globalization and cross-border transactions.
9. Show a critical attitude towards IP rights

Teaching methods

Group work, Lecture, Independent work

The main part of the lecture time consists of plenary ex cathedra lectures where the lecturer provides substantive information. Interaction is actively aimed for: students with prior IP knowledge are encouraged to share their knowledge with the group; students without prior IP knowledged are encouraged to raise questions. Part of the leturing time is reserved to international guest speakers, in the framework of Internationalisation@Home. Parallel to the lecture time, students are given the assignment to complete an independent work in group. Paired or in groups of three, students will study a contemporary issue of their choice within the field of study, and digitally record a presentation or podcast with a view to evaluation.

Assessment

Assessment moments: end-of-term and continuous assessment

Examination methods in case of end-of-term assessment during the first examination period: Written assessment with open-ended questions

Examination methods in case of end-of-term assessment during the second examination period: Oral assessment

Examination methods in case of continuous assessment: Presentation

Possibilities of retake in case of end-of-term assessment: examination during the second examination period is possible

Extra information on the examination methods: 

FIRST EVALUATION PERIOD:
Students can only pass by participating in both evaluation part I and evaluation part II (see below) of the examination period. This implies that the presentation (assignment) is duly submitted and that the student is present at the exam.
I. Presentation in group on a contemporary IP-related topic.

• Students are divided in groups of two or three.
• Each group chooses a different contemporary topic of IP law that it is willing to dive in.
• All presentations should be recorded in the form of an audiovisual presentation or a podcast.
• All presentations should be submitted by the end of the semester.
• Any student who decides to use AI in preparing the presentation is responsible for the transparent and responsible use of AI tools in accordance with university-wide and faculty regulations and guidelines. In particular, the use of AI must be explicitly disclosed and justified in or with the presentation and is permitted only as a writing assistant and for inspiration. The substance of the presentation should follow from the student’s own thinking and research. In particular, any student using AI tools accepts that using and referring to sources that the student did not search for and consult themselves may be considered fraud. The same applies to the disproportionate adoption of legal or scientific reasoning generated by AI tools. The student bears the final responsibility for the content and form of the submitted work at all times. Students may be interrogated orally to determine whether they have used AI tools responsibly, and they accept that disproportionate or otherwise irresponsible use may have a negative impact on their grading.

II. Written assessment which will be used in order to test:

Theoretical knowledge: through open questions:

• Fluent reproduction of the material studied;
• Insight in the material;
• Connections between diferent parts of the material;
• Connection between the studied material and recent events;
• Pratical knowledge: through case(s).
• The examination will consist of a closed book exam. Written or printed material, including legal code books, is not permitted. Calculators and other electronic
  devices are, likewise, not permitted

Calculation of final mark in the first evaluation period: 
40% presentation (I)
60% written examination (II)
Failure to participate in either one of those parts of the two evaluation will result in
a fixed 7/20 end result.

SECOND EVALUATION PERIOD (RESIT):

Students can only pass by participating in all evaluation forms of the examination period. This implies that the presentation is duly submitted and that the student is present at the exam. Failure to participate in either one of those parts of the evaluation will result in a fixed 7/20 final score, which cannot be subject to deliberation. A student is only allowed to participate in a resit evaluation for the part or parts which the student did not pass (by obtaining 10/20 or more). As for the part of the evaluation that was passed during the first examination period, the score of that part will also count as the obtained score for that part during the resit examination. E.g. whoever passes the presentation assignnement but does not pass the exam in the first examination period, can only take part in the oral exam in the resit period. The score obtained for the first examination's presentation will then again count as 40% of the total score for the resit evaluation.

I. New presentation (if 10/20 or more was not obtained in the first
examination period) on a contemporary IP-related topic.

• Students make the presentation on an individual basis.
• The assignment will be made available on request of the student, after the publication of the results of the first evaluation period, if applicable.
• The subject can either be identical to the subject of the fist evaluation period, or be different.
• The presentation will take place on campus in the course of the time period reserved to resit exams. If the student needs to resit the exam too, then the presentation and the oral exam may or may not take place on the same date.
• Even if the student passes the written assessment at the first evaluation period, they can be invited for an oral discussion on the contents of the new presentation assignment.

II. Oral examination in which the same competences are assessed as during the written assessment in the first evaluation period.

Calculation of final mark in the first evaluation period: 
40% presentation (I)
60% oral examination (II)
Failure to participate in either one of those parts of the two evaluation will result in a fixed 7/20 end result.

Lecturers

Geiregat, Simon: Lecturer-in-Charge 

Course dates

This course takes place in the second semester of academic year 2026-2027: 

• Educational activities: 08/02 - 15/05 
• Easter recess: 29/03 – 10/04 
• Catch-up activities: 17/05 – 22/05 
• Examination period: 24/05 – 03/07 
• Resit examination period: 16/08 – 18/09 

Entry requirements: A general backgrond in private law is required, in particular with regard to contracts and other civil-law topics. Prior knowledge about European Union law is a plus.

How to apply

1. Check whether you meet the entry requirements listed above. You cannot apply if you don’t meet the entry requirements.
2. Check with your home faculty or study programme to confirm whether this course can be included in your curriculum, so the ECTS credits will be recognized. If you are unsure who to contact, reach out to your home university’s ENLIGHT office (contact details below). 
3. Apply by completing the Ghent University form (link will follow) by January 18th. 
4. Register at Ghent University. Registration instructions will follow after application. 

Information per university

• University of the Basque Country: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   
• University of Bern: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., see application instructions for students at the University of Bern  
• University of Bordeaux: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.     
• Comenius University Bratislava: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , see application instructions for students at the Comenius University Bratislava 
• University of Galway: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.    
• University of Groningen: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., see information about BIPs and application form  
• University of Göttingen: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (for BIP’s) or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (other courses)  
• University of Tartu: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., see information about BIP’s and virtual courses  
• Uppsala University: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., see application instructions for students at Uppsala University 
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For information regarding the procedure to take part in this course: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

For information regarding the course content: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.