Intellectual Property

Over the past 20 to 30 years, intellectual property has developed, in legal practice and academia, from a niche interest to a highly-developed body of law with wide-reaching application. While much of this growth has been driven by the impact of digital technology on day-to-day life, even the 'traditional' subject matter of the various intellectual property rights as described in the 19th century Paris and Berne Conventions continues to spark debate. In brief, it is a highly dynamic area and one which fascinates the authors in their respective careers as intellectual property counsel and continues to fascinate them as legal academics and researchers. An abbreviated text of this issue is certainly no substitute for delving into the 'heart' of the law in cases and statutes. Nor is it possible here to explain each of the intellectual property rights in the detail that the authors might at times have wished. Whit that in mind, we hope that this text provides a framework of key concepts underpinning copyright, patent, trade mark and design as well as the growing field of IP-related rights. Additionally, we hope that we have conveyed and perhaps passed on our enthusiasm for and dedication to this area of law.