Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Strategies for the Protection of Intellectual Property
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, English
Teaching staff
Questions will be resolved before or after class. Any questions from online students will be answered by videoconference.
Introduction
This course is aimed at showing the key aspects of the intellectual capital protection strategy at (bio)companies. The course presents what the intellectual capital of a company is, and the different formulas to protect it. Throughout the course, the legal mechanisms are explained, as well as how to use them to create a solid strategy for the protection of intellectual property. Competitive surveillance and its strategies are also exposed. Finally, intellectual property transfer issues are covered.
Pre-course requirements
The Entrepreneurship and Innovation subject.
Objectives
- To know what the intellectual capital of a company is and what it involves.
- To understand the mechanisms to protect intellectual property.
- To know how to create optimal strategies for the protection of intellectual property.
- To understand competitive surveillance strategies.
- To understand the basic concepts of technology transfer.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
CB5: That students have developed those learning skills necessary to undertake further studies with a high degree of autonomy.
CG11: Recognizing basic concepts from different fields related to biomedical sciences.
CE19: Recognizing the principles of biomedical sciences related to health and learn to work in any field of Biomedical Sciences (biomedical company, bioinformatics laboratories, research laboratories, clinical analysis company, etc.
Learning outcomes of the subject
At the end of the course, the student will:
- Understand the operation of intellectual property in the biomedical company and the professional opportunities of the environment.
- Understand intellectual property protection strategies, understand the different protection mechanisms, and know in which cases each instrument should be used.
- Have seen cases of conflict related to intellectual property disputes.
- Understand competitive surveillance strategies.
- Be familiar with technology transfer processes.
Syllabus
1) Introduction to intellectual property
a. What is intellectual property?
b. Who owns intellectual property?
c. How is intellectual property accounted for and valued?
2) Patents
a. What is a patent?
b. Patentability
c. Types of patents
d. Phases of a patent
e. The international patent system
f. Parts of a patent
g. Practical case: study of a patent
3) Designs, utility models, trademarks and other registrations
a. Layouts
b. Utility models
c. Trademarks
d. Other intellectual property records
4) Industrial secrets
a. Definition
b. Confidentiality
c. Regulation of industrial secrets
d. Protocols and records
5) Competitive surveillance
a. Freedom-to-operate
b. Competitive analysis
6) Technology transfer
a. Definition
b. Transfer types:
i. Patents
ii. Research on demand
iii. Services
Teaching and learning activities
In person
Lectures: 50-minute presentation of a theoretical topic by the lecturer.
Case methods (CM): Approach to a real or imaginary situation. Students work on the questions formulated in small groups or in active interaction with the lecturer and the answers are discussed. The lecturer intervenes actively and, if necessary, contributes new knowledge.
The practical cases will include at least one case of conflict between companies over intellectual property issues and another case of optimal strategy for the protection of intellectual property.
A practical exercise will be carried out in groups of two or three students to analyse a patent and give a presentation on it. Additionally, a practical exercise will be carried out in groups of two or three students to prepare a freedom-to-operate report.
Online education (OE): Online material that the student can consult from the computer, at any time, and that will contribute to independent learning for the concepts on the course.
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
1) Assessment:
Class participation and behaviour: 30%
Patent presentation: 30%
Freedom-to-operate presentation: 30%
Multiple choice exam: 10%
To be awarded a final grade, the student must have received a grade equal to or greater than 5 out of 10 on the exam.
2) Retakes: the class participation and behaviour mark will be maintained.
The presentation of the patent and/or the freedom-to-operate report in retakes may only receive a maximum mark of 6 out of 10.
General points to keep in mind about the evaluation criteria:
1) Attendance at case method sessions is mandatory.
2) Participation in class is understood as when students contribute interesting ideas or raise pertinent questions that help improve the quality of the session, whether during a lecture or when studying case methods.
3) Attendance at theoretical classes is not compulsory, but attendees are governed by the guidelines indicated by professors. If students do not arrive on time, they must enter in silence without disturbing or interrupting the class. If they do not attend a minimum of 65% of sessions, the mark students receive for class participation will be reduced.
Bibliography and resources
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Manual didáctico sobre patentes. Academia Europea de Patentes. Oficina Española de Patentes y Marcas. http://www.oepm.es/cs/OEPMSite/contenidos/PatentKit/Manual.pdf
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Patentes, Marcas y Diseño Industrial. Ricardo Alonso García. Aranzadi. 2015.
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La Transferencia de Tecnología: implementación y desarrollo de su contenido jurídico. Alberto Echarri Ardanaz. Fundación Confemetal. 1999.
Evaluation period
- E1 05/05/2022 A02 16:00h