UNISA-WIPO Intellectual Property Law objectives and targets
The Specialization Program in Intellectual Property is a Certificate Program, designed for academics and professionals who already have knowledge about IP or possess a practical experience in IP and wish to strengthen and expand their future role in this field.
The focus of the curriculum is on the special circumstances prevailing in developing countries. The modules approach the subject-matter against the background of international conventions and the obligations they impose on developing countries. It is then demonstrated, using South African law as an example, how these obligations can be discharged. Students will be expected to examine the law of their own countries to determine how these obligations have been discharged, or how they should be discharged.
Although the Program is not a formal qualification, it is subject to the quality assurance requirements of Unisa. All the modules are offered on NQF level 5 (12 credits per module). Although it is possible to complete the Program in one year, most students register for the two modules per semester and complete the Program in two years. On the successful completion of the Program, the student will receive a certificate issued jointly by the University of South Africa and the World Intellectual Property Organization.
Each academic year the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), through its Worldwide Academy, avails a limited number of scholarships for students who otherwise would not be able to afford the fees.
About the Institutions
The University of South Africa, also known as Unisa, is one of 11 mega universities in the world. Over fifty years ago, in 1946, Unisa pioneered tertiary distance education in the western world. Currently, Unisa has about 150 000 students from all over the world.
The Centre for Business Law is housed in Unisa’s Department of Mercantile Law. With over 50 academic members of staff, the Department is the largest in South Africa specializing in all aspects of commercial law. Four members of staff specialize in Intellectual Property Law. In 1998, on the basis of a survey among some 300 human resources specialists in private and listed companies and parastatals, the Professional Management Review awarded Unisa its Silver Award as the best university in South Africa for Commercial Law.
The WIPO Worldwide Academy is a division of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). It is entirely devoted to providing teaching, training, and research services in intellectual property. Its services, designed to meet the individual needs of diverse groups of users, are organized under three main programs: Distance Learning, Professional Training, and Policy Development.
The Academy was founded in March 1998 to help Member States of WIPO attain specialized knowledge and skills that will enable them to derive benefits from the intellectual property system. Through its various programs, the Academy constantly strives to expand its tailor?made teaching and training services to an ever?growing audience of users and beneficiaries, including those at grass?roots level.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the program is subject to Unisa’s requirements for admission to degree studies. Basically, applicants should qualify for admission to a university or a degree program in the country of which they are a citizen, or where they reside permanently. These qualifications include, for example, full matriculation exemption, high school diploma, A-levels, HIGCSE or IGCSE plus a minimum age requirement.
The Curriculum
The modules of the program are taught using traditional distance teaching methods.
To qualify for the Certificate, students must take 8 modules out of the 9 that are listed below:
Essential Copyright Law
The topics covered in this module include the nature of copyright, the works protected by copyright, the requirements for the subsistence of copyright and copyright infringement.
Essential Competition Law
This module deals with aspects of private law relating to unfair competition. Topics include the liability for unfair competition as well as specific forms of unfair competition such as passing off, damaging another’s goodwill, misleading the public, discrediting another’s enterprise and misappropriation of confidential information.
Essential Patent Law
In this module the following topics are covered: the nature of patentable inventions, the requirements for patent protection, the exploitation of patented inventions and patent infringement.
Essential Trademark Law
The topics dealt with in this module include the nature of a trade mark, the registration of trade marks, the assignment and licensing of trade marks and trademark infringement.
Essential Industrial Design Law
This module deals with the nature of and requirements for design protection, the infringement of design rights and the protection of layout designs of integrated circuits.
Internet Aspects of Copyright and Trademarks
The topics discussed in this module include copyright and related rights in the digital environment, copyright infringement on the Internet, the protection of electronic databases, digital licensing of intellectual property, domain names, conflict of laws and jurisdiction.
Legal Aspects of Electronic Commerce
This module provides an overview of the Internet and the major role players. The following topics are also dealt with: contracting through the Internet, copyright implications of the Internet, electronic databases, domain names, trademarks and dispute resolution.
Traditional Knowledge and Biodiversity
The topics dealt with in this module include the protection of folklore including traditional crafts, ethnobotanical knowledge, as biodiversity and genetic resources. (Added commas and removed words)
Collective Rights Management: Performers’ Rights
This module deals with the evolution of performer’s rights, the exploitation of intellectual property, and the collective management of copyright and related rights.
Once admitted, students will receive a complete study package, consisting of tutorial matter in the form of work books, and tutorial letters, and extracts from cases and any other relevant materials.
Examination Procedures
For each module, students have to submit a midterm written assignment for evaluation.
Final Examination papers will be sent to students at their place of residence via fax or email. Students will then answer in writing and submit their paper within 24 hours.
The duration of each module is 14 weeks. We recommend that students register for no more than two modules per semester.
Registration dates: Deadline for submission of applications and Payment of fees
First semester: Registration date from 8 January until 2 February (last day for registration) for the first semester
Second semester: Registration date from 1 June until 12 July (last day for registration) for the second semester
Tuition fees:
ZAR1000.00 per module
Fees are payable in full on registration, unless an application for WIPO financial assistance has been submitted.
For registration forms and more information, please contact —
Mrs MA Roux
Centre for Business Law
University of South Africa
PO Box 392
Unisa 0003
South Africa
e?mail: rouxma@unisa.ac.za
tel: (+27 12) 429?8432 (+27 12) 429 8432)
fax: (+27 12) 429?8206
Docex: DX 163, Pretoria
For information about FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, please contact —
Ms Altaye Tedla
WIPO Worldwide Academy
34, chemin des Colombettes
1211 Geneva 20
Switzerland
e?mail: dlunisa@wipo.int
tel: (+41 22) 338?9395
fax: (+41 22) 740?1417
Deadline for submission of applications for FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE:
Applications must be received by November 31, for enrollment in the following academic year for financial assistance.
WIPO Financial Assistance
In addition to satisfying the requirements listed above by UNISA, applicants for WIPO financial assistance must complete the Registration and Financial Assistance Form and submit it to the WIPO Worldwide Academy with the following documentation:
Required Attachments for Financial Assistance -
1. Copies of diplomas or degrees and additional academic qualifications;
2. Curriculum vitae;
3. An essay stating the applicant’s motivation and reasons for wanting to enroll in this Program as well as the need for financial assistance;
4. A letter of recommendation from someone fully acquainted with the applicant’s academic and professional career (please note that in special circumstances, a letter of endorsement of the applicant’s request of enrollment in the Program may be requested from the applicant’s employer.)
5. Please attach a photograph of yourself (optional)
N.B: The information provided in this form is requested by WIPO only for the purpose of considering the grant of your scholarship. It will be treated as strictly confidential and will not be communicated outside WIPO.
Registration form
|
