Postgraduate Academic Programmes

 

 

Master of Laws (LLM) through coursework

 

The programme requires students to obtain 200 credits made up of three taught modules, as well as a module in Research Methodology, a research proposal and a mini dissertation of approximately 20,000 words, completed under the guidance of a supervisor. Class attendance is compulsory. Class meetings usually are from 17:30 - 19:30 and most of the class meetings take place once a week. The duration of the programme is two years.
 

 

LLM

Option: Intellectual Property Law (04250088)

Coordinators: Judge LTC Harms, tel 012 420 6813, email: [email protected] and

Prof SJ Cornelius, tel 012 420 3158, email: [email protected]

Closing date for applications:

SA applicants – 31 October; non-SA applicants – 31 August

(Programme may be taken by international students)

 

Module code

Credits

      Research methodology

RHP 801

5

      Research proposal

RHP 803

5

      Mini-dissertation (13 000-15 000 words – including footnotes

      but excluding the list of contents and the bibliography

      [prerequisites: RHP 801 and RHP 803]

MND 800 100

   and all THREE of the following modules:

 

 

   Patent, design and plant protection law

IGZ 802

30

Trademark law and protection of intellectual property rights

IGZ 803

30

Fundamental principles of intellectual property law and copyright law

IGZ 804

30

Note: This programme is number limited.

 

IGZ 802 Patent, Design and Plant Protection Law 802

Contact time: 2 lpw

Period of presentation: Semester 1

Language of tuition: Double medium

Credits: 30


Module content:

The following aspects will be dealt with:

(a) Patents Act no. 57 of 1978

(b) Designs Act 195 of 1993

(c) Plant Breeders’ Rights Act 15 of 1976

(d) History of Patent and Design law

(e) Patent-related international instruments

(f) Compliance with international instruments

(g) Registrability of patents and designs

(h) Capita selecta including: validity; interpretation of specifications; infringement; amendment or correction; compulsory licences; convention applications and exhaustion of rights.

 

IGZ 803 Trademark law and protection of intellectual property rights 803

Contact time: 2 lpw

Period of presentation: Semester 2

Language of tuition: Double medium 

Credits: 30


Module content:

The following aspects will be dealt with:

(a) Trade Marks Act 194 of 1993

(b) Merchandise Marks Act 17 of 1941

(c) Counterfeit Goods Act 37 of 1997

(d) History of trade mark law

(e) Relationship between registered trade marks and unregistered trade marks

(f) Trademark-related international instruments

(g) Compliance with international instruments

(h) Capita selecta including: registrability and validity; infringement; amendment or correction

(i) Civil remedies for the infringement of intellectual property rights

(j) Criminal remedies for the infringement of intellectual property rights.

 

IGZ 804 Fundamental principles of intellectual property law and copyright 804

Contact time: 2 lpw

Period of presentation: Semester 2

Language of tuition: Double medium 

Credits: 30


Module content:

The following aspects will be dealt with:

(a) The Nature of IPL

(b) The justification for IP protection

(c) Copyright Act 98 of 1978

(d) Performers’ Protection Act 11 of 1967

(e) Registration of Copyright in Cinematograph Films Act 62 of 1977

(f) History of copyright law

(g) Copyright-related international instruments

(h) Compliance of South African law with international instruments

(i) Capita selecta including: subsistence and conferral of copyright; scope of and exceptions to copyright; infringement of copyright.

 

Master of Laws (LLM) through research
 

Students on this programme are required to complete a module in Research Methodology, then submit a research proposal and pass an oral examination based on the research proposal.  The student must then write a dissertation of approximately 40,000 words under the guidance of a supervisor.  It is also expected from an LLM student to submit at least one publishable article to the satisfaction of the supervisor to an accredited law journal.

 

Doctor of Laws (LLD)
 

The LLD entails a research programme regarding an approved topic in law. It requires a completion of a module in Research Methodology, submission of a research proposal, an oral defence of the research proposal, a written thesis of approximately 80,000 to 100,000 words which makes an original contribution to legal science, and a subsequent public oral defence of the thesis. It is also expected from the LLD student to submit at least one publishable article to the satisfaction of the supervisor to an accredited law journal.

 

How to apply
 

Online application

You may apply online (http://www.up.ac.za/apply). Contact Erna Esterhuizen at +27(0)12 420 5143 or e-mail: [email protected] should you have difficulties with the online application.

Paper-based application

To receive a hardcopy application form, please contact the Client Services Centre at [email protected] or +27(0)12 420 3111. The completed application form, together with the documents as referred to on the checklist and application fee, should be submitted to the Client Services Centre (CSC) or posted to the address below before the applicable closing date.

Address

Client Services Centre

University of Pretoria

Lynnwood Road

PRETORIA

0002

 

Enquiries

For more information please contact Klaas Ntuli, Student Administration, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria on landline +27(0)12 420 4927 or via email [email protected] .

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