Practical Guide to Students of IP Law

(IPRinfo 4/2007)

Rosa Maria Ballardini
HANKEN (Swedish School of Economics and Business Administration)
and INNOCENT Graduate School, IPR University Center

The reviewed book: Hector MacQueen, Charlotte Waelde & Graeme Laurie: Contemporary Intellectual Property Law and Policy, Oxford University Press, 2007, 960 pp. (ISBN – 978-0-19-926339-4)

Unlike any other textbook currently available, this book provides a unique practical and realistic overview of the contemporary debated intellectual property issues. The analysis of the challenges and dynamics involved with this rapidly evolving area of law is conducted at domestic (i.e. England and Scotland), European and international level, not merely from a legal, but also from a social, political and practical angle. Moreover, the book is accompanied by a web site, including up-to-date developments in the various areas of IP issues.

The book is intended mainly for undergraduate law students. The extensive use of practical examples, exercises and visual presentations encourages the reader to critically assess the issues involved and to understand their possible future developments.

Furthermore, the interactive analysis of other disciplines, such as EU law, competition law, economics, human rights and ethical principles that constantly influence the evolution of IP law, makes the book suitable not only to students with no prior knowledge of the subject matter but also to those aiming to deepen their understanding of the subject.

The book is divided into eight comprehensive and logically organised parts, covering the major areas of intellectual property law (e.g. copyright, design rights, patents, trademarks and enforcement) in great detail, with reference to legislation, case law and literature. The summary introducing every chapter as well as the discussion points and the further readings suggested at the end of each session help the reader understand the points and encourage further research..

Clear and profound
Generally, all topics are explained clearly and profoundly, giving the reader a sufficient overview of the past, current and future trends. Complex subjects such as patent law and its applications (often difficult to understand by students of non-technical disciplines) are elegantly exemplified through the use of practical examples and images.

For example, the holistic perspective of controversial topics, such as software/business methods/biotech patents conducted through an analysis of the important case law, highlights how the IP law is presently struggling to interact and adapt itself to face the challenges posed by the developing technology. Also the difficult marriage between intellectual property and competition law in the European dimension is explained understandably, through relevant case law.

The authors must be congratulated. They have managed to provide a clear and comprehensive guide for the exploration of the dynamic and often incomprehensible intellectual property law.