LL4BQ Half Unit
Trade Mark Law
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Dr Luke Mcdonagh
Availability
This course is available on the LLM (extended part-time), LLM (full-time), MSc in Law and Finance and University of Pennsylvania Law School LLM Visiting Students. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process.
How to apply: Priority will be given initially to LLM, MSc Regulation and MSc Law and Finance students on a first-come-first-served allocation.
Spaces permitting, requests from all other students will be processed on the same first-come-first-served allocation from 10am on Thursday 2 October 2025
By submitting an application, students are confirming that they meet any pre-requisites specified. Providing an additional written statement will not aid a student's chances of being accepted onto a course, and statements are not read.
Deadline for application: Not applicable
For queries contact: Law.llm@lse.ac.uk
This course will be relevant to the following LLM specialisms: Intellectual Property Law; Information Technology, Media and Communications Law
Course content
This course offers in depth analysis of legislation and case law concerning trade marks in the UK and EU. In so doing the module considers relevant developments in international and comparative law. Topics covered include: national, regional and international trade mark registration systems; absolute grounds and relative grounds of refusal; the scope of trade mark rights; trade mark infringement; exceptions and defences; and the ownership of brand image in the context of the interaction between consumers and corporate brands.
Teaching
2 hours of seminars in the Spring Term.
20 hours of seminars in the Autumn Term.
This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Autumn Term.
Formative assessment
One 2,000 word essay.
Indicative reading
Core Textbook
- S Karapapa and L McDonagh, Intellectual Property Law 1st edition (OUP, Oxford 2019).
Students will be expected to read widely in designated journals and books. All of the recommended cases and journal articles are available in electronic form and additional materials will be made available on the Moodle website which supports this course.
A detailed reading list will be provided for the course, but the following are indicative (and available in the LSE Library):
- L Bently, J Davis, J Ginsburg (eds) Trade Marks & Brands: An Interdisciplinary Critique (CUP, Cambridge 2008);
- A Arvidsson, Brands. Meaning and Value in Media Culture (Routledge, London 2006);
- C Lury, Brands. The Logos of the Global Economy (Routledge, London 2004);
- G Dinwoodie & M Janis (eds) Trade Mark Law and Theory: A Handbook of Contemporary Research (Edward Elgar, Cheltenham 2008);
- S Maniatis & D Botis, Trade Marks in Europe: A Practical Jurisprudence 2nd ed (Sweet & Maxwell, London 2010).
Assessment
Written test (100%)
This assessment will be held under exam conditions and will take place in the January exam period.
Key facts
Department: LSE Law School
Course Study Period: Autumn and Spring Term
Unit value: Half unit
FHEQ Level: Level 7
CEFR Level: Null
Total students 2024/25: 30
Average class size 2024/25: 30
Controlled access 2024/25: YesCourse selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
For this course, please see the following link/s:
LL4BQ Trade Mark Law Course Guide Video https://youtu.be/D5FMx2hkGYE
Personal development skills
- Communication
- Specialist skills