Active Outline

General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
PARA D085.
Course Title (CB02)
Intellectual Property Law
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Course Description
Overview of the law of intellectual property, including trade secrets, trademarks, patents and copyrights and examination of the role of the paralegal in this area.
Faculty Requirements
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This course is in a CTE program. It was developed in response to the advisory board reporting a need for a course in intellectual property. This course belongs on the certificate and degree programs in Paralegal Studies. The course is CSU transferable. This is a course that was developed to fulfill a special need for training in an area of law that the local legal labor market specializes in.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to CSU only

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
4.0
Maximum Credit Units
4.0

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours4.08.0
Laboratory Hours0.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
48.0
Laboratory
0.0
Total
48.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
96.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
96.0

Prerequisite(s)

ADMJ D095. or PARA D095. or POLI D095. (either course may be taken concurrently) - Effective Fall 2023 ADMJ D009. or PARA D009. or POLI D009. (either course may be taken concurrently) - Effective Fall 2024

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

EWRT D001A or EWRT D01AH or ESL D005.

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

Methods of Instruction

Lecture and visual aids

In-class exploration of Internet sites

Homework and extended projects

Discussion of assigned reading

Assignments

  1. Oral
    1. Small group/class discussions and analysis of hypothetical legal problems
    2. Individual and/or small group presentations of assignments and projects
  2. Written
    1. Midterms
    2. In class and take-home written assignments
    3. Objective, short essay final examination
  3. Reading and Library
    1. Assigned readings and research from text and other references, including Internet materials
    2. Assigned readings from case reporters and codes

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Oral and written assignments that will be evaluated on the ability of the student to show an understanding of intellectual property and role of the paralegal in the protecting of intellectual property and in disputes surrounding it
  2. Midterms and one final exam evaluated on the ability of the student to demonstrate an understanding of the law concerning intellectual property and means to protect it

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • None.
Essential College Facilities:
  • None.

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Bouchoux, Deborah, "Intellectual Property: The Law of Trademarks, Copyrights, Patents and Trade Secrets", 5th Edition, New York: Cengage, 2018

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisher
"Patents, Copyright & Trademark: an Intellectual Property Desk Reference", 14th Edition, Richard Stim, Editor, Berkeley: Nolo Press, 2016.
United States Copyright Office (http://www.loc.gov/copyright/)
United States Patent and Trademark Office http://www.uspto.gov/)
California Secretary of State Office (http://www.sos.ca.gov)
California codes (http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/calaw.html)
Federal law and case law (http://www.findlaw.com)

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Distinguish types of Intellectual Property
  • Explain general legal principles protecting all types of Intellectual Property
  • Locate statutes and case law governing Intellectual Property
  • Describe trade secrets and the process for protecting them
  • Outline the procedures to obtain and maintain trademarks under California and Federal law
  • Outline the procedures to obtain and maintain United States patents
  • Outline the procedures to obtain and maintain common law and United States copyrights
  • Describe the process for handling Intellectual Property disputes
  • Assess cultural, gender, age and other factors relevant to protect Intellectual Property

CSLOs

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the various types of Intellectual Property, including the general legal principles of each.

  • Outline the appropriate procedures required for each form of Intellectual Property.

  • Identify and use the appropriate governing laws.

Outline

  1. Distinguish types of Intellectual Property
    1. Trade Secrets
    2. Trademarks and Service Marks
    3. Copyrights
    4. Patents
    5. Other intellectual property
  2. Explain general legal principles protecting all types of Intellectual Property
    1. Historical protection of Intellectual Property
    2. Constitutional provisions
    3. Contract provisions
    4. Statutory provisions
  3. Locate statutes and case law governing Intellectual Property
    1. California Law
      1. California statutes
      2. California regulations
      3. California cases
    2. Federal Law
      1. Federal statutes
      2. Federal regulations
      3. Federal cases
  4. Describe trade secrets and the process for protecting them
    1. Definition of trade secrets
    2. Protection of trade secrets
  5. Outline the procedures to obtain and maintain trademarks under California and Federal law
    1. California law
      1. Legal Requirements and Procedures
      2. Forms and Fees
    2. Federal law
      1. Legal Requirements and Procedures
      2. Forms and Fees
  6. Outline the procedures to obtain and maintain United States patents
    1. Procedures for each type of patent
    2. Forms and Fees
  7. Outline the procedures to obtain and maintain common law and United States copyrights
    1. Protectible rights and types of copyright
    2. Copyright creation, ownership and transfer
    3. Legal requirements and ownership rights and responsiblities
  8. Describe the process for handling Intellectual Property disputes
    1. Civil and criminal statutes
    2. Remedies, punishment and sanctions
    3. Preparation for trial or informal and alternative dispute resolution
  9. Assess cultural, gender, age and other factors relevant to protect Intellectual Property
    1. The paralegal role in obtaining factual information
    2. The client interview
    3. Understanding the client
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