Book review: Guidebook to Intellectual Property + discount code

This is a review of Guidebook to Intellectual Property (seventh edition) authored by Sir Robin Jacob (8 New Square and UCL, Matthew Fisher (UCL) and Lynne Chave (UCL). A discount for IPkat readers has kindly been provided by the publisher, please see below for the code.

Kat approved

This book is aimed at those who are new to the subject of intellectual property. It provides an outline of the basic legal principles and how the IP system works. As the blurb explains, it is those things together that brings utility; 

You cannot understand chess by merely learning the rules – you also have to know how the game is played: so too with intellectual property.

The preface reiterates that the purpose of the book is to describe the essential nature of living IP law: "What we want is the reader to come away with a good idea of how IP works in practice."

As someone who has also authored a practical guide (Copyright in the Music Industry) that is aimed at a novice audience, this Kat must stress the intended audience of the book and, as such, the lack of references and appendices of legal texts. There is nothing 'missing' here, because this is not a dense legal text for specialist IP lawyers or academics; therefore, trust this reviewer from her own experience, citations are of little use in such a book. Therefore, do not be alarmed at this omission, it is intentional and appropriate. 

To the contrary, the format of the book offers the intended reader an elegantly accessible way to dip into other areas of IP for example.  Indeed, this book  might also l be of  use to IP academics who are not acquainted with the practical application of IP. 

The book is presented in five parts, described in the book as “broadly along the lines drawn by the main Acts of Parliament dealing with these branches of law.” The first part, the introductory part, provides three chapters in which it describes and distinguishes between the different types of IP and the different types of legal action (criminal and civil). 

The second part focuses on protecting products through patents and industrial design. The third part addresses the way that things are sold, focusing on trade marks, passing off and unfair competition. The fourth part explains copyright and related rights including performers rights and moral rights as well as confidential information. The fifth part is aptly titled ‘Miscellaneous Matters’ and covers an array of related issues including customs seizure, privacy, database rights, exhaustion of rights and competition law. 

Overall, a delightfully handful introduction to IP with an emphasis on the practical application that is easily accessible to those new to IP. This Kat will certainly be recommending this book to her PGCert and IP Pro Bono students!

Extent 288
Edition 7th
Imprint: Hart PublishingPublisher:
Bloomsbury PublishingAvailable as hardback, paperback and Ebook

HB - ISBN: 9781509962808 RRP: £90 / Discount Price: £72
PB - ISBN: 9781509948697 RRP: £28.99 / Discount Price: £23.19

To get your discount please visit www.bloomsbury.com and use the relevant code below at the checkout.
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