Laws in Intellectual Property and Competition Law

The Munich Intellectual Property Law Center's Master of Laws programme is unique in its international and interdisciplinary coverage of intellectual property (IP) and competition law. It aims to provide a comprehensive and international education by exhaustively treating European, US, and international IP systems.

The MIPLC's modularised curriculum comprehensively discusses patents, trademarks, copyright, designs, geographical indications, etc., as well as competition law and related economics/business aspects in a wide and varied range of courses. Our international faculty from Europe, the US, and Asia comprises professors from prestigious universities, senior judges, IP experts of renowned corporations, and leading researchers of the Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition. Their impressive backgrounds guarantee multifaceted discussions and allow for an understanding of intellectual property in its broadest sense. The programme covers both civil law and common law jurisdictions and thus prepares graduates for operating effectively in any legal environment.

Educational organisation

Our modularised curriculum, spanning two semesters, contains the following elements: introductory courses, the mandatory basic modules, numerous elective modules, the Master's thesis, an optional eight-week internship, and several extracurricular activities.

The introductory courses are scheduled for the beginning of each academic year and convey essential knowledge of IP, related legal issues of economics, and legal writing. The mandatory basic modules lay the foundation for later specialisations by instructing students in all areas of intellectual property and competition law. This starts immediately after the introductory courses and continues through the first part of the second semester. The elective modules start towards the end of the first semester and continue throughout the second semester. They offer advanced courses on the programme subjects and adjacent areas of law and business studies, such as Economics of IP.

From the end of the first semester onward, students have the opportunity to work on their Master's thesis, which is due about six weeks after the end of the formal study period.

After the submission of the Master's thesis in mid-September, students may complete an optional internship. The MIPLC assists the students in organising such an internship. The MIPLC can draw on a large list of IP law firms, prestigious corporations, and international organisations such as the European Patent Office, WIPO, or OHIM, where MIPLC students have interned in the past.

The programme comes to a close at the graduation ceremony, during which the diplomas are awarded and graduates celebrate their achievements with their families and friends.

Various extracurricular activities are scheduled throughout the year. Such activities include, for instance, study visits to the European Patent Office and BMW as well as guest lectures given by distinguished speakers. Ten students annually are selected to participate in the European Intellectual Property Institutes Network (EIPIN) Congress in two different European cities. Moreover, a study visit to Washington, D.C., takes place in the summer and is open to all interested students.

Most MIPLC courses are taught in intensive sessions spread over several consecutive days as lectures, seminars, or practical training units with active student participation. Training in litigation and negotiation skills forms an integral part of the classes. The interactive teaching style with its focus on case studies requires substantial preparatory reading in addition to class attendance. This enables students to efficiently grasp the subject matter and to actively participate in discussions and debates from the very beginning.

For a list of modules and courses, please visit: http://www.miplc.de/llm-ip/curriculum/.

Study abroad unit(s)

There are two optional study units that involve international travel.

• A week-long study visit to Washington, D.C., takes place in early June. The programme consists of a variety of visits, e.g. to the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the United States Copyright Office, the Federal Trade Commission, and to a few patent attorney firms. Moreover, there are lectures on diverse IP topics and an oral hearing at the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit followed by a discussion with a judge.
• A limited number of students will be selected to participate in the annual congress of the European Intellectual Property Institutes Network (EIPIN). This congress consists of two conferences held in two of the member institutions' home cities. Participants will attend and discuss high-level presentations dedicated to specific IP topics over the course of several days. Moreover, they will meet students from the other EIPIN partner institutions with whom they work in mixed teams to write a group research report. If possible, a moot court competition will be organised as well.

Internships

After the submission of the Master's thesis in mid-September, students may complete an eight-week internship, which provides an excellent opportunity to practice newly acquired knowledge and skills in "real life IP", and in some cases even to meet a future employer. The MIPLC has a strong network of internship sponsors and will assist the students in the organisation of an internship. Sponsors include German and international IP law firms, corporate IP departments, and national and international IP organisations. Students may complete an internship abroad, but will have to cover their own travel and living expenses.

Forms of assessment

Students are assessed by exams in all basic modules and elective modules, as well as by their Master's theses.
Examinations (oral, written, take-home) are held throughout the semester (about three weeks after a course has ended) and in special exam weeks at the end of each semester.
In order to be awarded the LLM degree, students must acquire 60 credit points (CP), i.e., 24 CP from the basic modules, 18 CP from the elective modules, and 18 CP from the Master's thesis.

Course objectives

MIPLC graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills to deal with intellectual property in a truly global context at the most sophisticated level. They have gained comprehensive knowledge about all areas of IP, including but not limited to patents, trademarks, designs, and copyright, as well as competition law, and are able to apply this knowledge in a variety of professional contexts. In addition, they have gained a solid understanding of the business implications of intellectual property. Graduates are thoroughly qualified to pursue ambitious careers in the field of IP, especially as (patent) attorneys, patent agents, IP judges, business experts, and academics. MIPLC graduates presently work as (patent) attorneys, in the IP departments of international corporations, as IP judges, in government, as well as in international organisations such as the European Patent Office (EPO) and the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).

Language requirements

Very good knowledge of the English language, demonstrated by one of the following minimum test scores obtained within the last three years:

• TOEFL: 85 IBT, 223 CBT, 653 PBT
• IELTS (Academic Test): 6.5
• Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English: C

The test requirement is waived for applicants who have received their university degree from an institution at which English was the language of instruction.

As the programme is taught entirely in English, knowledge of German is not required.

Academic requirements

A Bachelor's degree (or equivalent). While most of our students hold a previous degree in law, natural sciences, engineering, or management, we also welcome students from other disciplines. If the Bachelor's programme was not a four-year programme (240 ECTS credits or equivalent), but a three-year programme (180 ECTS credits or equivalent), an applicant may be admitted if he or she has gained an additional year of professional experience (two years in total).

At least one year of professional experience acquired after the first university degree. Apart from actual employment in a paid position, professional experience also includes internships, work as a research assistant (postgraduate), and legal clerkship.

Very good knowledge of English (see above)

Enrolment fees

Application Fee: 50 EUR
Enrolment Fee: 100.95 EUR per semester (subject to change)

Costs of living

• Accommodation: from approx. 350 EUR per month
• Living: 500 EUR to 700 EUR per month
• Health insurance: 35 EUR to 75 EUR per month
• Textbooks and study materials: 450 EUR to 700 EUR for the entire programme

Job opportunities

None
The programme is very intense and rigorous. Students will generally not have any time to undertake additional work.
After the submission of the Master's thesis in mid-September, students have the opportunity to complete an optional internship.

Funding opportunities within the university

MIPLC offers a limited number of full or partial tuition fee waiver scholarships (no additional cash or in-kind payments).
http://www.miplc.de/llm-ip/admissions/scholarship-opportunities/

Arrival support

Comprehensive information is made available to incoming students via an intranet portal prior to arrival.

The academic year kicks off with a Welcome Day, during which the students receive comprehensive information about and assistance with initial administrative requirements and procedures. The aim of this event is to acquaint students with the facilities at the MIPLC and with their fellow students, and to help them complete as many administrative issues as possible so they can fully focus on their studies right from the beginning. This full-day event ends with a welcome party, to which the students' tutors are also invited.

Services and support for international students

As almost all MIPLC students are international students (and many of them come from non-European countries), the MIPLC administrative personnel are well-versed in all relevant matters. Students receive ample support before, upon, and after their arrival in Munich, e.g., securing health insurance.

Students, furthermore, receive academic support from:

• the programme directors, who assist with course selection, choosing a topic for the Master's thesis, and other study issues
• the lecturers who are happy to answer questions about their courses and who supervise the Master's thesis preparation
• the tutors, who help the students with their assignments and exam preparation and give advice on the Master's thesis

In addition, MIPLC organises a number of social activities, including a guided city tour of Munich, a Christmas reception, and a summer excursion to the countryside.

Accommodation

Students will have to find their own accommodation on the private market, which offers anything from rooms in shared flats to luxury apartments. Lists of rental agencies, dormitories, etc., will be provided.