Graduate Diploma in Intellectual Property Law

Melbourne Law School's specialisation in intellectual property (IP) is one of the largest and most respected specialist IP law programs in the world.

Its extensive range of challenging, cutting-edge subjects covers the spectrum of IP protection regimes, and are practically focused and theoretically rigorous.

The majority of the specialisation's subjects are accredited by the Trans-Tasman IP Attorneys Board (TTIPAB).

This program is recommended for those seeking accreditation as a patent and/or trade marks attorney.

Course structure

Students must complete 50 credit points from the prescribed list.

Students who do not have a law degree from a common law jurisdiction or any prior legal studies or experience are also expected to complete the two-day preliminary subject Australian Legal Process and Legal Institutions.

Note: Most subjects in the MLM program are 12.5 credit points each. Check individual subject handbook entries for confirmation.

Overview of Intellectual Property

Overview of Intellectual Property is a one-day seminar that provides a general survey of the various regimes comprising intellectual property (IP). It is accredited by the TTIPAB as satisfying part of their accreditation requirements for Topic Group A.

Entry requirements

1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:

• a degree in Law (LLB, JD or equivalent) at honours standard or equivalent leading to admission to legal practice; or
• a degree in Law (LLB, JD or equivalent) or equivalent leading to admission to legal practice and at least one year of documented, relevant professional experience; or
• an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline and at least one year of documented, relevant professional work experience.

Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.

2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:

• prior academic performance; and if necessary
• the professional experience.

3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.

4. Applicants are required to satisfy the university’s English language requirements for graduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 6.5 is required.

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The Melbourne Law Masters welcomes applications from students with disabilities. The inherent academic requirements for study in the Melbourne Law Masters are:

• The ability to attend a minimum of 75% of classes and actively engage in the analysis and critique of complex materials and debate;
• The ability to read, analyse and comprehend complex written legal materials and complex interdisciplinary materials;
• The ability to clearly and independently communicate in writing a knowledge and application of legal principles and interdisciplinary materials and to critically evaluate these;
• The ability to clearly and independently communicate orally a knowledge and application of legal principles and interdisciplinary materials and critically evaluate these;
• The ability to work independently and as a part of a group;
• The ability to present orally and in writing legal analysis to a professional standard.

Students who feel their disability will inhibit them from meeting these inherent academic requirements are encouraged to contact Student Equity and Disability Support.

Intended learning outcomes

Graduates of the Graduate Diploma in Intellectual Property Law will:

• Have advanced knowledge within a systematic and coherent body of knowledge relating to the field of Australian and New Zealand intellectual property law, including:
• the requirements that need to be satisfied to establish entitlement to the grant of intellectual property rights in both jurisidctions
• the procedures by which grant of such rights are obtained
• the requirements that need to be satisfied to establish infringement of those rights
• the exceptions, limitations and defences to infringement that apply to those rights
• the means for, and constraints on, enforcement and commercialisation of those intellectual property rights.
• Have advanced cognitive, technical and communication skills that enable them to:
• analyse critically, evaluate and convey information and
• generate ideas and solutions to complex problems from both theoretical and practical perspectives in the subjects studied in the field of intellectual property law
• Apply knowledge and skills to demonstrate autonomy, well-developed judgement, adaptability and responsibility as a practitioner or learner in the field of intellectual property law generally