Business Law & Intellectual Property MA 505

Course Details

Credits: 3

Pre-requisites: None

Compulsory / Optional: Compulsory for the Department of Mechanical Engineering / Optional for Other Departments

Aim(s)

To explain how law evolved and how it applies in the commercial context and to introduce the concept of intellectual property & explain the pathway to obtaining a patent as to aid the students in uplifting their undergraduate and professional work.

Intended Learning Outcomes
  1. Differentiate between Civil and Criminal Law.
  2. Examine the conditions under which contracts can be formed and discharged.
  3. Describe law relating to Sale of Goods, Agency and different forms of business organizations.
  4. Analyse the principles of law relating to employment, intellectual property and environment relating to business scenarios.
Course Content
  1. Introduction: Sources of law; legal system in Sri Lanka; difference between civil and criminal Law; tort of negligence and ‘duty of care’.
  2. Law of Contracts: Essential elements of a contract; conditions and warranties; terms and misrepresentation; essential elements of a contract; conditions and warranties; terms and misrepresentation; discharge of contracts; alternative dispute resolution.
  3. Sale of Goods: Definition of ‘goods’; sale of goods ordinance
  4. The Law Relating to Partnerships: Formalities in establishing a partnership; business names legislation; JVs and partnerships; rights and duties between partners.
  5. Marketing: Segmentation; targeting and positioning; marketing mix.
  6. Company Law: Nature of a company – ‘separate legal entity’; lifting the corporate veil; types of companies; company registration; company liquidation.
  7. Intellectual Property: Types of IP; patents; prior art researches; application for a patent; patent drafting; legal issues of IP.
  8. Law Relating to Employment: Sri Lankan legislation on labour; occupational health and safety – factories ordinance; workmen’s compensation.
  9. Environmental Law: Environmental law in Sri Lanka; environmental approval of projects.
Time Allocation Hours
Lectures 27
Tutorials Small Group Discussion 13
Assignments 10
Assessment Percentage Marks
Small Group Activities / Case Studies / Assignments / Presentation 40
End Semester Examination 40