NSCPHD1107 Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) - Introduction to ‘IPR-basics’ from the perspective of commercialization and collaboration

Here you are, with a great new idea for a new product, a new compound, a new app, a new concept, a new method– what to do? What is the next step? How to figure out how much you can tell others? Two things are the first to consider: Firstly, you need to get a clear idea of whether the new idea you have in mind have already been thought about by others, is it protected by any type of IP or has it been taken into use by others, the answers to these initial questions influence the barriers and opportunities as to how to pursue your idea. Secondly, you need to determine whether you should apply for any IP rights to help you shield your invention, it being patents, utility models, design rights, trademarks and copyrights, or would you benefit from keeping it as a trade secret? And what to do contract wise, when to use non-disclosure agreements, should you be concerned with signing non-competition clauses, and in research collaborations what are the pitfalls to watch out for? Questions are many when approaching IP as an individual, university, research organization or firm and might seem complex and non-transparent. However, the reality is, that in few days, with hard training, attending this course will prepare you to engage in decision making concerning IP, by having a basic, yet sound understanding of the IP “battlefield” that many scientists, researchers, entrepreneurs and firms face.

This course is a basic IP course, different types of IPR and contracts will be introduced, by the use of case studies, negotiation plays and an IP management book. In addition participants will work in groups on solving small IP essays as we go along, giving in-depth knowledge of how to search for and understand the opportunities and limits of the different types of IP. External specialists will participate in the course, ensuring a blend between theory and practice.