A new copyright professor has been appointed to the the law school at Blackhall Place.

Dr Mark Hyland has been announced as the inaugural Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) and Law Society adjunct professor of intellectual property law.

The part-time position at Blackhall Place is being funded by IMRO with the goal of contributing to the national debate on copyright issues, including music rights.

Dr Hyland is a lecturer in international IP law at Bangor Law School in Wales.

Website blocking

His current research covers website-blocking injunctions in an IP context, and how geolocation and geo-blocking technologies can be used to facilitate the territorial licensing of digital copyright works.

Dr Hyland said: “As well as being immensely important work which makes a huge contribution to the economy, IP is a very fulfilling and interesting field of practice.

“I look forward to helping educate solicitors, as well as Ireland’s songwriters, composers and music publishers, on IP and copyright law.”

The professor’s expertise will be used to contribute to IP modules at the law school for teaching of intellectual property and IP law.

Dr Hyland will also deliver an annual copyright law lecture.

Education director TP Kennedy commented “IP is a growing area of practice because of the tech companies that have set up their headquarters in Dublin.

Songwriters

“IMRO’s work in protecting the rights of Irish composers, authors and songwriters is being achieved in conjunction with solicitors and barristers.

“It is lawyers who are spearheading the implementation of these rights and therefore we need to train up the next generation of graduates.”