Bucerius Law School were once again invited to participate in the oral rounds of the 16th Oxford International Intellectual Property Moot at Pembroke College, University of Oxford from the 15th to 17th March 2018. After intense preliminary rounds, the team were ecstatic to make it through to the quarter finals, where they were unfortunately knocked out by the overall winners, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
Mooters, Paulina Boppert and Jasmin Dolling, supported by coaches Lezel Roddeck (Legal Language Programme) and Felix Tann (student coach), faced tough competition against Goethe University Frankfurt, West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata and National Law School of India University, Bangalore.
For three days, 28 invited universities from across the globe met in Oxford to moot on complex issues pertaining to the interpretation of whether a “dramatic work” may include a cockatoo performance and a fireworks display; the test for joint authorship, as it relates to software developed in pyrotechnics; and finally whether a cockatoo performance may qualify as a “variety act” or a “dramatic performance” in terms of statute.
The Grand Finale was a rare opportunity for mooters to see renowned High court judges in action, as it was held before senior members of the judiciary comprising of Lord Justice Kitchin, Mr Justice Birss and Mr Justice Carr.
The exemplary team work displayed by all involved was outstanding and heartfelt thanks goes to Katharina Waczke (student coach) and Fabian Flüchter (IP center) who supported the team with several coaching sessions. This moot would not be possible without the ongoing support of Professor Dana Beldiman and Karsten Windler (both IP Center), who collaborate with the Foreign Language Communication Programme, and dedicate time and resources to support the mooting team.
Finally, congratulations to Paulina and Jasmin, for their extraordinary efforts and endurance. It was a pleasure working with such a dedicated team – great job and great accomplishment!
