LL.M. (Intellectual Property and Information Technology Law)

The tensions between rewarding intellectual development, on the one hand, and incentivising further developments, on the other, are most acute in the context of technological advance. Such issues arise in the context of information technology law more generally, where the rapid emergence of new technologies raises questions of how, if at all, the law should respond to, regulate, and promote such developments. Intellectual Property and Information Technology have become significant and growing areas of law at both a European and an international level. With this in mind, the Law School offers an innovative LL.M. in Intellectual Property and Information Technology Law. 

On the LL.M in Intellectual Property and Information Technology Law, you will take modules in which you will study the inter-relationships between law, science and technology. These modules cover the substantive, policy, and practical elements of IP and IT law within European and International contexts. This programme provides graduates with the knowledge and tools to meet the demands of our sophisticated knowledge economy.  Modules offerings may include Data Protection, Cyber Security Law, Copyright Law, Trademark Law, Regulating of Artificial Intelligence and more. 

The LL.M. (Intellectual Property and Information Technology Law) degree is taught over a period of one academic year, commencing in September. This full-time programme is delivered in-person at Trinity College. Students are required to take three modules (10 ECTS) in each of the programme’s two semesters (60 ECTS in total). Each semester, at least two modules must be chosen from the list of Section A modules set out below. The remaining two modules may be chosen from either Section A or Section B modules. Each module is offered in one semester only and involves 22 hours of classwork. Various forms of assessment are utilized in the different modules. Where modules are assessed by way of examination, the examinations are scheduled at the end of each semester, in December and April/May. Students may be required to take Supplemental examinations in August/September.

In addition, all students must also a complete a research dissertation on an approved theme over the course of the academic year (30 ECTS). These dissertations must be submitted on or before end of June.

Having successfully completed this programme, students should be able to:

• Identify, evaluate and synthesise jurisprudential theories and concepts as they apply to intellectual property and information technology law at a level appropriate to masters graduates;
• Use appropriate legal theories, doctrines and concepts to identify, formulate, analyse and solve legal problems within national and international contexts;
• Critically analyse the interplay between law and social change in a variety of different contexts as they pertain to international and domestic intellectual property and information technology law;
• Conduct effective and targeted research in case law, legislation and academic legal commentary in areas pertaining to intellectual property and information technology law at both national and international levels at a level appropriate to masters graduates;
• Discuss and debate different perspectives on legal problems, theories and doctrines in the area of intellectual property and information technology law;
• Communicate effectively in oral and written modes in professional and academic settings and work effectively in multi-disciplinary settings;
• Demonstrate flexibility, adaptability and independence in order to engage productively with a changing, commercial and technological environment; and
• Have the capacity to engage in life-long learning, including vocational training for the legal profession.