INTRODUCTION
The LL.M. (Master of Laws) is a degree awarded by universities internationally to law graduates. In most cases, an LL.M. is obtained by finishing a full-time, one-year program. It is common for law students and professionals to pursue an LL.M. to gain expertise in a particular area of law, for instance, international law or tax law or intellectual property law.
Legal firms prefer candidates with LL.M. degrees since they indicate that they have acquired specialized, advanced training, and are prepared to work in multinational legal environments.
An LL.M. or any other foreign law programme in Intellectual Property Rights (“IPR“) provides an understanding of the relationship between IP and new technologies, which then opens up a wealth of opportunities.
To enable corporate entities to conduct cross-border transactions with zero or minimal risk, legal practitioners need a comprehensive understanding of the global intellectual property regime.
Additionally, it is important to understand the relevance and importance of developing IPR jurisprudence in other countries, such as the United Kingdom, the European Union, and the United States.
Below are the top foreign IPR Law programmes for law graduates.
1. UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD (POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN IP LAW AND PRACTICE):
Students embarking on a career in intellectual property law and practice can take the Oxford Diploma in IP Law and Practice at the postgraduate level. The course is a one-year, part-time program geared to giving junior practitioners an introduction to IP law and practice.
The Intellectual Property Lawyers’ Association and the Oxford Law Faculty have jointly designed the course. It is led by both professional practitioners and academics.
This course consists of an intensive two-week residential course in Oxford and a series of weekend workshops at London law firms from October through June.
The course is taught by a mix of practising lawyers and academics. It covers a wide range of IP subjects, including Patents, Trademarks, Unfair Competition, Pass-off and Trade Secrets, as well as key factors in litigious and non-litigious IP procedures.
The university offers a Postgraduate Diploma in IP Law and Practice. Following are the highlights:
- Assessment: Throughout the semester, five coursework assignments are due between October and May (Trade Marks, Patents 1, Patents 2, Copyright, Designs), and an examination paper is due in June.
- Classes: Students are taught primarily by lectures and interactive classes, and the program is designed to accommodate their work and other commitments
- Virtual learning: Online learning is provided by online tutoring and online research services.
- Mandatory: All participants must participate in workshops and a residential program.
- Location: Oxford, UK.
- Deadline: 8 July 2022, 12:00 midday UK time.
- Fees: GBP 75 (INR 7,598) for application fees. The diploma fee is GBP 8,920 (INR 9,14, 978).
2. THE UNIVERSITY OF LAW POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMMES (DATA PROTECTION & IP):
One of the earliest specialist providers of legal education in the UK, the University of Law enjoys a high reputation for innovation. More lawyers have been trained by the university than anyone else in the UK.
The University of Law has campuses in many of the UK’s most cosmopolitan and exciting cities, including a campus in Hong Kong. It offers first-class, professional learning opportunities across a wide range of locations.
The university provides an LLM in Data Protection and Intellectual Property. Following are the highlights:
- Locations: Leeds, Manchester, London, UK Online.
- Duration: 12 months.
- Fees: 12,360 GBP per year (INR 12, 67,294).
- Pace: Full time.
3. MUNICH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW CENTER MIPLC (IP)
A unique academic institution and research institute, the Munich Intellectual Property Law Center (MIPLC) is operated by the Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition, the University of Augsburg, The Technical University of Munich (TUM), and George Washington University, Washington DC, USA.
At its premises in Munich, it offers a one-year LL.M. It offers an English-taught program on intellectual property and competition law.
Its distinguished faculty is one of the MIPLC’s greatest assets. There are about 60 active faculty members who are highly respected researchers and practitioners, all of whom have an extensive amount of experience. Their professional experiences cover a wide range of topics.
It offers an LLM in IP Law and Competition Law. Following are the highlights:
- Location: Munich, Germany.
- Duration: 1 year.
- Fees: EUR 32,850 per year (INR 28,23,391).
- Pace: Full time.
4. UNH FRANKLIN PIERCE SCHOOL OF LAW (ONLINE LLM)
U.S. News & World Report has ranked the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law among the top 10 IP law programs in the United States for 30 consecutive years, making it one of the most respected and comprehensive patent law and practice programs in the country.
Online students can start the program in August or January, and they can complete the degree in up to three years, full-time or part-time.
The university is devoted to developing students who enjoy engaging in discussions from the first moments of orientation, receive practice-based education, and join the ranks of alumni who are global leaders in intellectual property, general practice, public interest, and social justice, as well as commerce and technology.
The university offers an Online LL.M. in IP Law. Following are the highlights:
- Location: Concord, USA.
- Duration: 3 years.
- Study: Online.
- Fees: USD 1,290 per credit (INR 97,570).
- Pace: Full-time or Part-time.
5. UNIVERSITY OF SUSSEX (LLM IN IP LAW)
Law will become more digital in the future, according to the University. With this innovative LLM, you will specialise in this critically important and intellectually stimulating area.
During our program, the university provides you with a chance with top legal minds. You will examine the reasons why the legal system is a key factor in internet governance. Furthermore, you will also get practical and theoretical insights, so you can master the interconnected areas of information technology and intellectual property law.
The teaching environment at university fosters a truly international, stimulating, and engaging learning experience that will help you build a rich foundation of knowledge. In addition to providing skills training, the courses teach you to think logically about legal problems, preparing you for your future career.
The university offers an LL.M. in Information Technology and IP law. Following are the highlights:
- Location: Brighton, United Kingdom.
- Duration: 1-2 years.
- Pace: Full-time or Part-time.
- Fees: GBP 9,500 per year (INR 9,75,170)
6. UNIVERSITY OF LAW ONLINE POSTGRADUATE (LLM DATA PROTECTION AND IP)
As a long-established specialist provider of legal education, the University of Law has a strong international reputation. With the formation of Gibson & Weldon, the first University tutoring firm, the university dates back to 1876. It focuses continuously on developing the best legal minds, with a rich heritage and reputation for innovation.
Law and non-law graduates who wish to examine the practical application of a particular, specialist area of law will find the LLMs from the new Master’s in Law suite of programmes particularly attractive. Programmes are subject to change.
It offers an online LL.M. Data Protection and IP. Following are the highlights:
- Location: Online (UK).
- Duration: 2 years.
- Study: Online.
- Fees: GBP 9,200 per year (INR 9,44,370)
7. OTHER TOP SCHOOLS OFFERING FOREIGN IPR LAW PROGRAMMES:
- Nottingham Trent University (Nottingham, UK): offering LL.M. in IP Law.
- George Washington University, Law School (Washington, USA): offering LL.M./MSL in IP Law.
- King’s College London (KCL) (London, UK): offering Intellectual Property & Information Law LL.M.
- Queen Marry University of London (London, UK): offering Intellectual Property Law PGCert.
YLCC would like to thank Nikunj Arora for his valuable insights in this article.
