Master of Intellectual
Property Rights
DUTCH-LANGUAGE DIPLOMA
KU Leuven. Inspiring the outstanding.
Faculty of Law
Master of Intellectual Property Rights
This advanced master’s programmein Intellectual Property Rights builds on the expertise of both the Centre for Intellectual Property Rights (CIR) and the Interdisciplinary Centre for Law & ICT (ICRI) of KU Leuven. The programme provides an in-depth study of European IP, ICT and media law. The IP, ICT and media sectors are rapidly-evolving and highly complex sectors influenced by a myriad of technological, economic and sociological developments. Existing legal frameworks are continuously challenged within these sectors and traditional legal concepts and principles are regularly being reinterpreted.
This programme intends to address the increasing demand for qualified legal experts in the IP, ICT and media sector. To achieve this objective, students are offered a comprehensive study of European IP law, IT law and media and communications law, with special attention for interdisciplinaryperspectives and practical skillsthat are in demand in this sector. The teaching staff consists of internationally respected academics,
experts from institutions such as the European Commission and national regulatory authorities, and leading practitioners, ensuring an optimal knowledge and experience transfer. The programme provides an excellent academic education and added value both to graduate students wishing to cap their curriculum and to practitioners in search of top-quality, cutting-edge expertise.
Studying in the capital of Europe
The Master of Intellectual Property Rights is organised by KU Leuven. The classes are taught at KU Leuven’s Brussels campus (Stormstraat 2).The Brussels Campus provides quality, professionally-oriented education and academic training in Brussels, the political and economic heart of the European Union. Brussels truly is ‘the capital of Europe’, hosting meetings and sessions of the European Commission, the European Parliament, NATO and many diplomatic missions and international organisations. In addition, many international firms and financial institutions have their headquarters in Brussels, making the city one of the world’s biggest financial markets.
DISCOVER KU LEUVEN
Situated in Belgium, in the heart of Western Europe, KU Leuven has been a centre of learning for nearly six centuries. Today, it is Belgium’s largest and highest-ranked university and, founded in 1425, one of the oldest and most renowned universities in Europe. As a leading European research university and co-founder of the League of European Research Universities (LERU), KU Leuven offers a wide variety of inter national master’s programmes, all supported by high-quality, innovative, interdisciplinary research.
* Please note that other rules apply to students with a master’s degree obtained in the Flemish or French Community.
Admission requirements*
International students need to have obtained a degree that is considered to be equivalent to a master’s degree in law. However, students who have obtained a master’s degree in other disciplines may also be admitted subject to a positive evaluation of their full application file. If the master’s degree is awarded outside of the European Union, admission may be allowed on the condition that the student completes the “Introduction to European Law” training course.
If the master’s degree is awarded within the European Union, admission may be allowed on the condition that the student completes the “Introduction to Law” training course. The student is exempt from this requirement if he/she obtained a master’s degree in law or a master’s degree in a discipline that includes an introduction to law of at least 60 hours. Students who have obtained a master’s degree issued by an institute outside of the Flemish Community should first apply for admission via the Student Administrative Services Centre according to the application procedure detailed at
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www.law.kuleuven.be/masterIPRICT
Profile
Students are expected to have a proven academic track record, a strong interest in the areas of IP, ICT and/or media law and a proficient level of written and spoken English, by means of an acknowledged language test (TOEFL and IELTS).
Programme
The programme is composed of two, parallel-running tracks: one track with a specific focus on Intellectual Property Rights, taught in Dutch, French and English, and one track with a broader focus on Intellectual Property Rights and ICT Law, taught exclusively in English.
A combination of both tracks is also possible (subject to knowledge of the relevant languages). Students need to complete 5 compulsory courses, 5 optional courses (from a total of 10 elective courses, taught in Dutch, French and English) and a master’s thesis.*
Courses in both tracks are taught in the evening, from 6:00 p.m. onwards, in Brussels. It is possible to participate in the programme on a part-time basis, spreading the programme over two years. The programme is recognised by the bar of both the Flemish and French language Communities.
MASTER OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS COMPULSORY COURSES (5 x 21 h., 5 x 5 ECTS = 25 ECTS)
OPTIONAL COURSES (5 x 18 h., 5 x 4 ECTS = 20 ECTS)
Master's thesis (Dutch, French or English) 15 ECTS
EVENING EDUCATION SEM. EVENING EDUCATION SEM. (Dutch / French / English) (English)
Auteursrecht 1 OR International and European 1
Copyright Law
Droit des brevets 1 OR International and European 1
Patent Law
Merkenrecht 1 OR International and European 1
Trademark Law
European Electronic Business Law 2
Media Law 2
EVENING EDUCATION SEM. EVENING EDUCATION SEM. (Dutch / French) (English)
Kwekersrecht en biotechnologie 1 Interdisciplinary Perspectives 1 on ICT
Droit des dessins et modèles 2 European Privacy and Data 2 Protection Law
Droits voisins du droit d’auteur 1 European Electronic 1 (only for students that take Communications Law
auteursrecht or International and European Copyright Law)
Droits intellectuels et droit 2 Electronic Contracts Law 2 de la concurrence
Public Government 2
and Cybercrime Law
Problems in the IP and ICT 2 practice
* Students graduate with a Dutch-language diploma (master in de intellectuele rechten) given that they are following an English-language trajectory within a Dutch-language degree programme.
For detailed descriptions of this programme’s courses and for the course timetable, please consult www.law.kuleuven.be/brussel/en/education/intellectual_property_rights
Career outlook
Graduates are well positioned for jobs in international law firms and companies in the IP, ICT and media sector. Graduates have also gone on to positions in (international) law firms, media and telecommunications companies, public administration as well as in international public interest organisations. Students may also choose to further develop their academic skills by pursuing a PhD related to fundamental issues of IP, ICT or media law.
KU LEUVEN Oude Markt 13 box 5005 3000 LEUVEN, Belgium onderwijscommunicatie@kuleuven.be www.kuleuven.be
Learn more
www.law.kuleuven.be/masterIPRICT www.law.kuleuven.be/faculty General information www.kuleuven.be/english www.kuleuven.be/internationalprogrammes www.kuleuven.be/admissions www.kuleuven.be/tuitionfees Publications www.kuleuven.be/internationalbrochures Contact tel. + 32 2 210 13 05 law.master.ipict@kuleuven.be www.fb.com/LeuvenUniversity www.facebook.com/LlminIntellectualPropertyRightsandIctLawThis brochure provides the most complete and accurate information available concerning this master’s programme offered at KU Leuven. However, amendments to the composition of this programme may be approved at any time. Consequently, KU Leuven is in no way legally bound by the information provided in this brochure. The most recent information on all our academic programmes can be consulted at www.kuleuven.be/coursecatalogue
Last updated: February 2015 v.u.: Isabelle V
