Diploma in Technology and IP Law

Programme objectives

On completion of this Diploma in Technology and IP Law training programme, participants will be able to:

• Analyse the legal issues pertaining to intellectual property and how to protect IP rights including dealing with cases of infringement;
• Apply for registration of trademarks, patents, and designs and understand how to protect one’s copyright;
• Critically evaluate the legal issues relating to the latest trends in technology, such as augmented reality, driverless cars, the “Internet of Things”;
• Advise on the data protection issues arising in the technology sphere – data security, CCTV, data breaches, cybersecurity;
• Draft essential clauses for a range of technology/IP contracts – software licensing agreements, website terms and conditions, outsourcing, cloud computing, apps;
• Summarise the legal issues relating to key aviation matters, such as engines, maintenance reserves, security, taxation, insurance, records, and repossession;
• Assess the laws relating to social media – defamation, trolling, hosting, caching, and internet usage.

Programme structure and approach to learning

Ireland has a booming tech market and has become the digital hub for Europe. It is of vital importance that all organisations understand the law relating to technology and intellectual property and that all legal advisers have the requisite knowledge to advise on these matters. This advanced level programme is designed to give comprehensive coverage to the broad range of legal issues arising from technology and intellectual property in this digital age.

In this diploma, we will chart the latest trends in technology and will provide a wide-ranging analysis of issues relating to intellectual property rights, advising on data protection strategies, and managing transactional issues. Leading experts will consider the myriad of potential liabilities, including IP-infringements and defences, domain disputes, e-commerce and consumer regulations, software licensing, and data security breaches. The course will offer an insight into the world of cyber-crime and suggest possible corporate risk-management strategies that companies can implement. Separately, we will analyse applicable torts, such as defamation, and the rights and duties attaching to social media, blogging, and internet usage. Finally, the course examines the law relating to key technology such as the Cloud, nanotechnology, biomedical technology, biometrics, wearable technology, driverless vehicles, Fintech, and Blockchain.

Modules

The programme is based on the following module scheme and covers key themes as listed below:

Module 1: Intellectual property

• Trademarks – registration; infringement; non-conventional marks,
• Patents – registration; priority; patent dealings; patentability of software,
• Copyright – digital recordings; databases; software,
• Design law – registered and unregistered designs,
• Trade secrets – confidential information,
• Intellectual property rights management and IP contracts.

Module 2: Data protection

• GDPR – Regulation 2016/679,
• Data processing, sharing and access requests,
• International data transfers,
• Data protection and new technologies – such as drones and biometrics,
• Data security and technology,
• Data breaches.

Module 3: Technology contracts

• Technology contract clauses,
• Software licensing agreements,
• E-commerce, online contracts, consumer protection,
• Website terms and conditions,
• Outsourcing and cloud computing,
• Gaming law and online betting,
• Practical and legal issues for tech companies.

Module 4: Social media

• Managing legal risks,
• Defamation and blogging,
• Hosting, caching, conduits,
• Advertising standards online,
• Criminal and civil liability for online content,
• Social media and employment relationship.

 Module 5: The law and technology

• Bio-law – medical and legal considerations,
• Nanotechnology, biometrics, drones, wearables,
• Cybersecurity and cybercrime,
• Video gaming, augmented reality, driverless vehicles,
• Cookies, apps, the Cloud,
• FinTech and block chain,
• The “Internet of Things”.

Workshops

Workshops are a key feature of this course. These are designed to be interactive and involve working in groups on selected case-study problems and analysis, with an emphasis on the application of the law to common scenarios encountered in practice.

Assessments

Continuous assessment through online activities (10%); multiple-choice quiz (10%), and three-hour closed-book written examination (80%).

Who should attend?

This course is suitable for the following:

• Solicitors, barristers, and trainees who wish to augment their knowledge in the area of IP and technology law to better advise their clients,
• Solicitors, barristers, and trainees both in private practice and in-house roles (for example, in tech, IT and pharma companies),
• Industry professionals with an interest in IT, intellectual property, data protection, cybersecurity, social media, Research and Development, technology transfer, and innovation,
• Professionals with an interest in IP and technology who aspire to work in the area.

We welcome applications for this course from other professionals who are suitably qualified. Please explain your interest and set out any relevant experience in a cover letter and a brief CV. Such applications are subject to a supplemental fee of €300.

Faculty

Lecturers and tutors consist of lawyers and industry professionals drawn from the leading law firms and intellectual property firms, together with technology experts working in industry. Previous lecturers have included:

• Mark Adair, Mason Hayes & Curran,
• David Brophy, FR Kelly,
• Colette Brady, William Fry,
• Dr Mark Carmody, PurdyLucey,
• Simon Cocking, Irish Tech News,
• Fergal Crehan, Three,
• John Darby, Flynn O’Driscoll,
• Emerald de Leeuw, Eurocomply,
• Niamh Hall, FR Kelly,
• Dr Mike Harris, Grant Thornton,
• Dr Sally-Anne Hinfey, SurveyMonkey,
• Sam Holman, Irish Copyright Licensing Agency,
• Dr Denis Kelleher, LinkedIn,
• Gerard Kelly, Mason Hayes & Curran,
• Andrea Martin, MediaLawyer Solicitors,
• Patricia McGovern, DFMG Solicitors
• Dr TJ McIntyre, lecturer UCD, Digital Rights Ireland,
• Barry Moore, Hanna Moore + Curley,
• Gemma Neylon, Openjaw Technologies,
• Claire O’Mahony, Law Society of Ireland,
• Peter O’Neill, Facebook,
• Ruth O’Toole, Daon,
• Carol Plunkett, William Fry,
• Emma Redmond, Stripe
• Linda Scales, Linda Scales & Co,
• Aoife Sexton, Truata,
• Asim Sheikh BL,
• Oisín Tobin, Mason Hayes & Curran,
• Marie Walsh, Hanna Moore + Curley,
• Adrian Weckler, Independent Newspapers.

CPD

We have designed our courses to enable you to satisfy as much of your CPD requirement as possible. Time spent attending lectures and workshops in person or completing these via e-learning as part of your course can be claimed towards your annual CPD requirement. The number of hours of CPD that you may claim in relation to your diploma/certificate course will depend on the way in which you access each of the individual sessions. Please note that the limit for e-learning has been removed for the 2021 CPD cycle. For further information, visit the CPD scheme and download the CPD booklet.

The Diploma Centre team will host our annual CPD conference in November 2021. This complimentary event is a dedicated management and professional development skills and regulatory matters session. We will post an invitation on your Diploma Hub page later in the year.