MARKETING LAW
cod. 1007333

Academic year 2018/19
2° year of course - Second semester
Professor
Academic discipline
Diritto commerciale (IUS/04)
Field
Giuridico
Type of training activity
Characterising
42 hours
of face-to-face activities
6 credits
hub: PARMA
course unit
in ITALIAN

Learning objectives

a) knowledge and understanding
The course consists of two parts.
A theoretical part, dedicated to the study of disciplines relating to distinctive signs and technological innovation in the patent system, including trade secrets, as well as the protection of commercial communication and competition, the latter with reference to legal provisions and anti-monopoly measures.
A practical part, taught in parallel with theory's one, mainly focused on the examination of cases and main contracts affecting examined institutions (license and transfer of patent and trademark, advertising and sponsorship contracts, etc.), with particular attention to the analysis of contractual obligations and problems related to business practice in contractual models.

b) Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course students will have acquired:
- knowledge of the institutions of intellectual property and competition, for example through basic concepts such as "relevant market" which plays a key role in assessing the conduct of market traders
- the ability to manage, in practice as well as theory, the selection of the most appropriate type of contract related to the examined institutes, with particular attention to aspects of the negotiation, execution and resolution of the agreement.

c) Making judgments
Students acquire the independence of judgment required to address and resolve issues related to institutions of intellectual property related to organizational and contractual management of market operators and provide with appropriate advice.

d) Communication skills
Students learn how to relate to others within the institution and externally with other market operators and end users of goods and services (firms, consumers) in the spheres of contracts in competition, industrial property and commercial distribution.

e) Learning skills
The course is structured to enable students to learn methods of legal assessment of the facts regarding commercial distribution contracts in the light of national legislation and case law.

Prerequisites

Knowledge of civil law and commercial law

Course unit content

Teaching aims to allow students to learn the legal knowledge required for those who will be called to work in the field of corporate marketing.
The course focuses on the study of the theoretical and technical aspects of the disciplines that affect intellectual and industrial property rights' protection, corporate communication and competition, including the examination of cases and contractual situation related to those matters.

Full programme

(First part) Theoretical part:
1. Label and marker protection
- company name, trademark, domain names and typical minor cases
2. Protection of technological innovation in the patent system
- inventions and designs
- know-how and trade secret
3. competition law
- unfair competition pursuant to art. 2598 cc and under law n. 192/1998
- anti-trust
4. discipline of corporate communication (advertising and unfair business practices)

(Part Two) Practical part:
1. Contracts for company's brand and design promotion and protection
- brand development agreements (advertising contracts)
- trademark assignment agreement
- trademark license agreement (franchising and merchandising)
2. Contract for the promotion and protection of the technological company heritage

Bibliography

- Vito Mangini: Manuale Breve di Diritto Industriale, Padova, CEDAM, IV Ed. 2015;
- learning materials and case supplied during the course
- lectures’ slides

Teaching methods

Theoretical and practical classroom lectures lessons with information and exercises by university teachers and specialists including overseas experts
Acquiring knowledge – class lectures
Learning to apply skills – exercises and practice
Acquiring independent evaluation skills – case studies
Acquiring learning skills – description of topic and critical examination of legislation applied, legal decisions and contracts
Acquiring technical language – legal terminology is explained during the course

Assessment methods and criteria

The final exam is a one hour written paper consisting of four open questions, two on the first part of the course and two on the second, printed on two sides of an A4 sheet.
The use of any type of text, books, notes, phones, media etc. is not permitted.
Each question carries a maximum of 7.5 marks.
Answers will be assessed overall for knowledge, the ability to apply knowledge, the capacity to communicate with appropriate technical language and terminology, independence of judgment and capacity to learn. The optional oral exam will be assessed on the same criteria.

Other information

Additional seminars on topics covered in the course may be held according to the availability of external specialists.
See the professors’ webpage for supplementary material.