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Copyright and Patents

Course developer

Course abstract

The course provides theoretical knowledge of copyright law and related rights, as well as patent law. The course analyses matters concerning copyright holders and objects, copyright content, as well as prerequisites for patent protection and patent acquisition. Students acquire practical skills to apply their theoretical knowledge in the field of copyright and patent protection.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Students will be able to demonstrate:
KNOWLEDGE of
1. Copyrights, related rights and patent rights. Independent work. Tests 1 and 2.
2. Copyright, related rights and patent rights protection. Practicals.
SKILLS to
1. Apply their theoretical knowledge to protecting copyrights and related rights, as well as patent rights. Practicals. Independent work.
2. Reasonably discuss issues and problems related to the protection of copyrights and related rights, as well as patent rights. Independent work. Practicals.
COMPETENCES to
1. Independently analyse the legal relations related to copyrights, related rights and patent rights and identify the applicable legal provisions. Practicals.
2. Independently apply the acquired theoretical knowledge and skills in the field of copyright and patent rights protection. Independent work. Tests 1 and 2.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Concept and kinds of intellectual property. (1 h lecture)
2. Copyright objects. (2 h lectures)
3. Copyright holders. (1 h lecture)
4. Content of copyright. Personal and property rights. (3 h lectures, 1 h practical)
5. Rights to use works. Use of works in the Internet environment. Licenses. (2 h lectures, 2 h practicals)
6. Related rights. (1 h lecture, 1 h practical)
7. Protection of copyright and related rights. (2 h lectures, 1 h practical)
Test 1. (1 hour)
8. Patent rights. Prerequisites for patent protection. Patentable invention, its features. (2 h lectures)
9. Inventions that are not patentable. (2 h lectures)
10. Patent holders. (1 h lecture)
11. Obtaining a patent. (3 h lectures, 1 h practical)
12. Transfer of a patent to other persons. Licenses. (2 h lectures)
13. Protection of patent-related rights. (2 h lectures)
Test 2. (1 hour)

Requirements for awarding credit points

The student must pass two tests and perform and defend three pieces of independent work.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

1. An analysis of court practices regarding protection of copyright, related rights and patents.
2. Independent work. Copyright and related rights protection. Solving a legal case and defending the case during practicals. To be submitted electronically.
3. Independent work. Patent rights protection. Solving a legal case and defending the case during practicals. To be submitted electronically.
4. Independent work. An analysis of two cases related to copyright violation and protection, which is submitted and presented electronically. One case (court practice) may be selected from the Court Portal of Latvia: hpps://manas.tiesas.lv, while the other could be found in the relevant literature or on the Internet.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The final mark depends on the cumulative mark of the tests and the independent work done and presented. Each test and each piece of independent work represents 20% of the total assessment. 10% are equal to one point on a 10-point marking scale.

Compulsory reading

1. Rozenfelds, J. Intelektuālais īpašums. Rīga: Zvaigzne ABC, 2008. 272 lpp. I
2. Rušenieks J. Audiovizuālo darbu autoru un producentu tiesiskā regulējuma problēmu vēsturiskā izcelsme, to risinājumi. Rīga: Zvaigzne ABC, 2019.
3. Poļakovs G. Rūpnieciskā īpašuma īpašnieka tiesības. Rīga: Biznesa Augstskola Turība, 2001, 384 lpp.
4. Pētersone Z. Intelektuālā īpašuma civiltiesiskās aizsardzības līdzekļi. Rīga: Tiesu namu aģentūra, 2013. 400 lpp.
5. Veikša I. Kas ir autortiesības?. Rīga: Biznesa augstskola Turība, 2007. 144 .lpp.
6. Stim R. Patent, copyright and trademark: an intellectual property desk reference. 15th edition. Berkeley: Nolo, 2018. 597 p.
7. Copyright and fundamental rights in the digital age: a comparative analysis in search of a common constitutional ground. Edited by O. Pollicino, G. Riccio, M. Bassini. Northampton: Edward Elgar Publishing, 2020. 267p.

Further reading

1. Latvijas Republikas Satversmes komentāri. VIII nodaļa. Cilvēka pamattiesības. Rīga: Latvijas Vēstnesis, 2011.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Latvijas Republikas Patentu valde. Pieejams: https://www.lrpv.gov.lv
2. Autortiesību un komunicēšanās konsultāciju aģentūra.Latvijas Autoru apvienība. Pieejams: http://www.akka-laa.lv
3. Latvijas Izpildītāju un producentu apvienība. Pieejams: http://www.laipa.org
4. Latvijas Republikas Kultūras ministrija. Pieejams: https://www.km.gov.lv
5. Jurista Vārds: Žurnāls tiesiskai domai un praksei. Pieejams: http:// www.juristavards.lv
6. Latvijas Tiesu Portāls. Pieejams: hpps://manas.tiesas.lv
7. Latvijas Republikas Augstākā tiesa. Pieejams: https://www.at.gov.lv
8. Latvijas Republikas tiesību akti. Pieejams: https://likumi.lv

Notes

Restricted elective course (Part B) for the ESAF academic bachelor programme Economics, specialization Law