SCHOOL OF LAW
PONDICHERRY UNIVERSITY
PG DIPLOMA IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS (PGDIPR)
Innovation has been the barometer of social progress. Innovation has also led to new
products and services and new markets to these products and services. Preserved markets for
protected goods and services have projected Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) as the fulcrum of
globalization. IPRs are not merely rights but valuable assets that determine the rank and
competitiveness of nations and corporate organizations in the global knowledge economy. Thus,
Intellectual Property is an important and an effective policy instrument relevant to a wide range
of socio-economic, technological and political concerns and IP education is promoted by the
policy makers.
In order to cater to the needs of the stakeholders of knowledge economy the PG Diploma
in Intellectual Property Rights is designed for those interested in pursuing a career in IPR,
which opens opportunities in the fields of IP Analysts, IP Attorneys, IP Consultants, IP
Managers and the like.
PROGRAMME:
School of Law, Pondicherry University offers One year full-time PG Diploma
programme in Intellectual Property Rights.
DURATION:
The duration for this PG Diploma in Intellectual Property Rights is One year full time
and offered in CBCS Model in two Semesters.
ELIGIBILITY:
Any Degree with 50% Marks in Under Graduation under 10+2+3 system or equivalent.
SELECTION CRITERIA:
The admission to this PG Diploma is done through an admission test, Group Discussion
and Personal Interview. The admission procedure varies based on uniform norms for all PG
Diplomas’ implemented by University from time to time.
INTAKE: 20 Students (5 sponsored)
ACADEMIC PROGRAMME:
The programme is offered on Full time basis for select days in a week during the
Academic Calendar. All the subjects are Hard Core and Compulsory for the award of PG
Diploma.
PEDAGOGY:
Classroom Lectures, Case Studies, Tutorials, Seminars, Expert Lectures etc., shall form
part of the teaching methods. Presentation of the project and viva voce will also form a part of
the teaching methods.
EVALUATION:
Internal Assessment 40% of Marks, End Semester is for 60% marks. Internal
Assessments consist of Term tests, written assignments, and presentations. End Semester Exam
consists of 3 hours Written Test. End Semester Examination will consist of Question in Part A
and Part B.
SCHOOL OF LAW
PONDICHERRY UNIVERSITY
PG DIPLOMA IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS (PGDIPR)
CURRICULUM & COURSE STRUCTURE
SEMESTER - I
Course Code Title of the Paper Hard Core Credits
IPR 311 General Principles of Intellectual Property Rights 4 Credits
IPR 312 Law of Patents 4 Credits
IPR 313 Trademarks and Geographical Indications 4 Credits
IPR 314 Industrial Designs and Layout Designs of Integrated
Circuits and Utility Models 4 Credits
IPR 315 Comprehensive Viva 2 Credits
SEMESTER - II
Course Code Title of the Paper Hard Core Credits
IPR 321 Law of Copyright and Allied Rights 4 Credits
IPR 322 Trade Secrets and Competition Law 4 Credits
IPR 323 Protection of Traditional Knowledge, Plant
Varieties and Biotechnology 4 Credits
IPR 324 Management of IPRs 4 Credits
IPR 325 Comprehensive Viva 2 Credits
TOTAL CREDITS 36 CREDITS
SCHOOL OF LAW
PONDICHERRY UNIVERSITY
PG DIPLOMA IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS (PGDIPR)
SEMESTER - I
GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
Course Code: IPR 311 Hard Core: 4 Credits
Unit I: Introduction
Origin and Development of IPR – Historical and theoretical basis for protection of IPR –
Analysing and understanding the Interpretation of IP laws – Need for Protecting IP
Unit II: Concept of Property
Theories on concept of property – Nature – Public Vs. Private – Tangible Vs. Intangible
– Industrial Vs. Intellectual
Unit III: International IP Regime
World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) – Functions of WIPO – Membership –
GATT Agreement – Major Conventions on IP – Berne Convention – Paris Convention – TRIPS
agreement.
Unit IV: Indian IP Regime
Overview of IP laws in India – Major IP Laws in India – International treaties signed by
India. IPR and Constitution of India.
Unit V: Forms of IPR
Forms of IPR – Copyright – Trademark – Patents – Industrial Designs – Trade Secrets –
Geographical Indications - Application of different forms of IPR.
Reference Books
1. International Encyclopaedia of Laws: Intellectual Property (Kluwer Law International,
1997) (looseleaf). I,MON K 1401 .I5828 (1997) vols. 1-5
2. V.K.Ahuja, Law relating to Intellectual Property rights, 2nd Edition, (2013) LexisNexis.
3. Barrett, Margreth, Intellectual Property, (2009) 3nd, New York Aspen publishers.
4. Nard , Craig Allen, Law of Intellectual Property, (2008) 2nd, New York Aspen publishers
SCHOOL OF LAW
PONDICHERRY UNIVERSITY
PG DIPLOMA IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS (PGDIPR)
SEMESTER - I
LAW OF PATENTS
Course Code: IPR 312 Hard Core: 4 Credits
Unit I: Introduction:
Concept of Patent – Historical view of Patent system in India and International Scenario
– Evolution of Patent Laws in India – Legal basis of Patent Protection.
Unit II: Patentability
Patentable Inventions - Process and Product (Biotechnology / Pharmaceutical Products /
Software programme) – Patent protection of computer programme – Inventions NOT patentable.
Unit III: Procedure of Patenting
Process of Obtaining a Patent – Application- Examination – Acceptance - Opposition –
Sealing of Patents – Preservation of Patents- Documentation – Register of Patents.
Unit IV: Rights and Obligations of a Patentee
Duration of Patents – Rights of Patentee – Limitation of rights - Use and exercise of
Rights – Right to Secrecy – Compulsory Licenses – Special Categories
Unit V: Infringement and Enforcement
Infringement – Criteria of Infringement – Modes of Infringement (Doctrine of Colourable
Variation) - Onus of Proof – Defences in suits of Infringement – Injunctions and related
remedies.
Reference Books
1. Fisher, Matthew (ed.), Fundamentals of Patent Law: Interpretation and Scope of
Protection, (2010), New Delhi, Mohan law House.
2. Miller, Joseph Scott (ed.), Patents, (2010), UK, Edward Elgar.
3. Kankanala, Kalyan C., Indian Patent Law and Practice, (2010), India, Oxford University
Press
4. Dr. Bhandari, M.K. Law relating to IPR, Central Law Publication, (4th Edition 2015)
SCHOOL OF LAW
PONDICHERRY UNIVERSITY
PG DIPLOMA IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS (PGDIPR)
SEMESTER - I
TRADEMARKS AND GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS
Course Code: IPR 313 Hard Core: 4 Credits
Unit I: Introduction:
Definition – Concept of Trademarks – Rationale behind the protection of trademarks –
Agreement on TRIPs and Trademark – Trademarks Act, 1999.
Unit II: Registrability
Protection of Well-known marks- Doctrine of honest Con–current User – Doctrine of Deceptive
Similarity – Property mark Vs. Trade mark - Recent Trends in Trademark protection.
Unit III: Procedure for Registration
Procedure for Registration: Submission of application, Acceptance, Advertisement,
Rejection – Effect of Registration – Conditions for Registration – Registrar of Trademarks.
Unit IV: Infringement and Remedies
Infringement- Passing off – Criteria of Infringement- Offences - Remedies: temporary
and Permanent Injunctions, Compensations, etc.
Unit V: Geographical Indications
Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 - Objects and
Reasons of the Act – Agreement on TRIPS - Registrations – Cancellation – Rectification –
Correction of Register – Infringement – Offences & Penalities - Remedies.
Reference Books
1. Arora, Manish, Guide to Trademarks, (2007) 2nd ed., Delhi, Universal.
2. Ryder, Rodney D., Trademarks, Advertising and Brand Protection, (2006), New Delhi,
McMillan.
3. Cornish, William Intellectual Property: Patents, Copyright, Trademarks and allied rights,
(2010) 7th ed., London Sweet & Maxwell.
4. Hyde William Cornish, Intellectual Property Right, New Delhi: Global Vision
Publication House.
SCHOOL OF LAW
PONDICHERRY UNIVERSITY
PG DIPLOMA IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS (PGDIPR)
SEMESTER - I
INDUSTRIAL DESIGNS AND LAYOUT DESIGNS OF INTEGRATED CIRCUITS
AND UTILITY MODELS
Course Code: IPR 314 Hard Core: 4 Credits
Unit I: Introduction
Concept and Origin of Industrial Designs – Introduction- evolution – Legal protection -
Layout Designs – Integrated circuits – Utility Models – Protection of Industrial Designs
Unit II: Concept of Industrial Designs and Layout Designs
Industrial Designs – Subject matter of Design – Exclusion of Designs – Novelty and
originality – Rights in Industrial Designs: Nature, Acquisition and duration of rights.
Unit III: Process and Procedure
Procedure for registration of Lay-out Design: Submission, advertisement, opposition and
Registration – Duration of registration.
Unit IV: Law Relating to Industrial Designs and Layout Designs
The Semiconductor Integrated Circuits Layout-Design Act, 2000 – salient features of the
Act – Layout design Appellate Board – Registrar of Semiconductor Integrated Circuits Layout
Design and his Powers.
Unit V: Infringement and Enforcement Mechanisms
Infringement of Lay-out Designs – Exemptions – Use of Layout design – Penalties –
Offences - remedies
Reference Books
1. Prof.A Chandrasekaran, Intellectual Property Law, Sitaraman & Co. July (2004)
2. Arora, Manish, Guide to Trademarks, (2007) 2nd ed., Delhi, Universal Publications
3. Cornish, William Intellectual Property: Patents, Copyright, Trademarks and allied rights,
(2010) 7th ed., London Sweet & Maxwell
4. Dr. Wadehra, B.L.W. “Law relating to IPR” Universal Publication, (5th Edition, 2011)
SCHOOL OF LAW
PONDICHERRY UNIVERSITY
PG DIPLOMA IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS (PGDIPR)
SEMESTER - II
LAW OF COPYRIGHT AND ALLIED RIGHTS
Course Code: IPR 321 Hard Core: 4 Credits
Unit I: Introduction
Concept of Copyright – Historical Evolution of Copyright – Evolution of Copyright
Laws: a comparative perspective. (UK, USA and India).
Unit II: Concept of Copyright
Meaning of Copyright – Idea Vs Expression Dichotomy – Copyright Vs Moral rights –
Performer’s right - Copyright in Literary, Drama, and musical works – Sound Records –
Cinematograph films – computer programme.
Unit III: Law relating to Copyright and allied rights
Copyright Act, 1957 – Salient features of the Act (Amendment Act 2012) - Ownership of
copyright – Assignment of Copyright – Term of Copyright – Copyright Office – Copyright
Board – registration of Copyright
Unit IV: Infringement
Principles relating to Infringement - Notion of Infringement – Criteria of Infringement –
Importation and Infringement – Fair Use provisions in Copyright- Piracy in Internet.
Unit V: Remedies
Remedies and Reliefs available – Injunction – Anton pillar Injunctive relief in India –
Judiciary and Copyright – Copyright in the Commercial world
Reference Books
1. Sterling, J. L. A., World copyright law, (2008) 3rd ed, London, Sweet & Maxwell.
2. Ahuja, V. K. , Law of Copyright and Neighbouring Rights, (2007), New Delhi, Lexis
Nexis
3. Prasad, Akhil, Copyright Law Desk Knowledge, Access and Development, (2009), Delhi.
4. Mendis, Dinusha Kishani, Universities and Copyright Collecting Societies, (2009),
Hague, T.M.C. Asser press
SCHOOL OF LAW
PONDICHERRY UNIVERSITY
PG DIPLOMA IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS (PGDIPR)
SEMESTER - II
TRADE SECRETS AND COMPETITION LAW
Course Code: IPR 322 Hard Core: 4 Credits
Unit I: Introduction
Trade Secrets: Concept and origin – Need to protect Trade secrets – Essentials and
Misuse of Trade Secrets - How to protect Trade secrets - Concept of Competition Law – (Un)
Fair Competition – Origin and Objectives of Competition Law – Scope and Limitations.
Unit II: Sources of Competition Law
Competitions Law in a Comparative perspective (EU, US, India) – MRTP Act, 1969 –
EC Competition Law – The Claytan’s Act – The Sherman’s Act – The Competition Act, 2002.
Unit III: Prohibited Activities under Competition Law
Anti-competitive agreement – Abuse of Dominant position – Unfair Trade Practices –
Bid Rigging – Predatory Pricing – Tieing.
Unit IV: Authorities and Enforcement of Competition Law
Competition Commission of India – Constitution of Commission – Powers and
Functions. Competition Appellate Tribunal (ComAT) – Constitution and Jurisdiction. Judicial
Review by High Court and the ComAT
Unit V: Competition Law: The way forward
Merger Control Regulations – Interface between Competition Law and IPRs –
Approaches to Competition law- Welfare measures.
Reference Books
1. Beebe, Barton, Trademarks, Unfair Competition and Business Torts, (2011), Newyork,
Aspen Publishers.
2. T. Ramappa, Competition Law in India, 2nd ed., Oxford, (2009).
3. Vinod Dhall (ed.), Competiton Law Today, Oxford, (2007).
4. Pradeep S. Mehta (ed.), Towards Functional Competition Policy for India, Academic
Foundation, (2005)
SCHOOL OF LAW
PONDICHERRY UNIVERSITY
PG DIPLOMA IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS (PGDIPR)
SEMESTER - II
PROTECTION OF TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, PLANT VARIETIES
AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
Course Code: IPR 323 Hard Core: 4 Credits
Unit I: Introduction
Meaning and Scope of traditional Knowledge – Interface between IP and traditional
Knowledge – Need and Significance of protection - International instruments on Traditional
Knowledge – Developments in WIPO.
Unit II: Recognition and Documentation
Recognition and Documentation of Traditional Knowledge – Databases – Traditional
Knowledge Digital Library “TKDL” – AYUSH Systems of Medicines – Biodiversity Register.
Unit III: Statutory Protection of Traditional knowledge in India
Traditional Knowledge as Property – Nature of Property in genetic Resources and
associated traditional Knowledge - Ownership in Traditional Knowledge: Nature and Elements
of Ownership – Exclusivity and Protection –Benefit Sharing.
Unit IV: Plant Varieties Protection
Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmer’s rights – GM Corps – Objectives of Plant
Varieties Act – registration of Plant Varieties – Duration and effect of Registration –
Infringement – Offences – Remedies.
Unit V: Biotechnological and Pharmaceutical
Introduction - Protection of Biological Inventions – Plant Patent Protection in India –
Biotech Patents in India - Research and Development in Biotechnology – NCE – Vaccine –
Antibodies – GM.
Reference Books
1. Christoph Antons (ed.) Traditional Knowledge, Traditional Cultural Expressions and
2. Intellectual Property Law in the Asia Pacific Region, Kluwer Max Planck Series, (2009)
Indigenous Heritage and Intellectual Property: Genetic Resources, Traditional
Knowledge and Folklore, Kluwer Law International, (2008)
3. Iver.P. Cooper, Biotechnology and the Law, South Asian Edition
SCHOOL OF LAW
PONDICHERRY UNIVERSITY
PG DIPLOMA IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS (PGDIPR)
SEMESTER - II
MANAGEMENT OF IPRs
Course Code: IPR 324 Hard Core: 4 Credits
Unit I: Introduction
Economics of Innovation: Classical Theories – Neo-classical Theories – Exogenous and
Endogenous Growth Theories – Schumpeterian Growth Theories – Human Capital Theories –
Evolutionary Growth Theories
Unit II: Domain of Public funded research
Industrial Classification: Traditional Vs Knowledge Based Industries – Intangible Assets –
Definition & Characteristics – Intangible Assets & Accounting Standards – Intellectual Property
as Strategic Corporate Assets
Unit III: Commercialization of Intellectual Property:
Traditional IP and Evolving IP - Assignment – Licensing – Cross License – Patent Pool –
Negotiations – Defensive Publications – Technical Disclosures – Patent Pooling – Patent
Trolling - Brand Management- Brand and Pricing Strategies – Patent Mining – Patent
Landscaping and Patent Mapping
Unit IV: Strategic Management of Intellectual Property:
Defensive & Offensive Strategies – Intellectual Asset Management - Intellectual Property Audit
– Identification & Grouping of Intangible Assets into Bundles - Intangible Asset Management
Plan – Value Maximization Strategies – Value Extraction Strategies – Licensing Process and
Management
Unit V: Valuation of Intellectual Property:
Need for IP Valuation – Approaches of IP Valuation – Cost Approach – Income Approach –
Market Approach – Methods of IP Valuation – "25% Rule" Method - Industry Standards
Methods - Ranking Method - Surrogate Methods - Disaggregation Methods - Monte Carlo
Method - Real Options Methods - The CAV Method - Market Value Method -Collateralization
of IPA
Reference Books
1. Sunita K. Sreedhararn , An Introduction to Intellectual Asset Management.
2. Patrick H. Sullivan, Profiting from Intellectual Capital: Extracting Value from
Innovation
3. Tulika Rastogi, IP Audit: Your Way to Healthy Organisation
4. Gordon V. Smith and Russell L. Parr, Valuation of Intellectual Property and Intangible
Assets, 3rd Edition
5. Bruce Berman, From Assets to Profits: Competing for IP Value and Return (Intellectual
Property-General, Law, Accounting & Finance, Management, Licensing, Special
Topics).
6. Loganathan, E.T. “IPR” (IPRS), TPIPS Agreement and Indian Laws.
