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ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION

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MODULE 12 - INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

 

Aim

The overall aim of the course is to give students an understanding of how the intellectual property rights system works and, in particular, how it protects creativity and innovation, and to enable them to appreciate that intellectual property rights are economic assets that add value to any business undertaking, if they are appropriately protected, managed and exploited.

 

General Objectives

  1. Organize and present a body of information on IPRS in a manner that will facilitate understanding of the material.  This will involve-
    1. Laying a proper foundation- i.e. clarifying philosophical concepts and legal terms/ notions (e.g. property rights, infringement, legal remedies- injunctions, damages, forfeiture etc.)
    2. Sequencing  presentation of the material so that information given progressively builds on what went before
  1. Encourage and facilitate questions, requests for clarifications, discussions and brief anecdotal accounts of experiences with IPRS
  2. Present scenarios involving IPRS to test understanding of concepts and principles and to demonstrate practical application of the IPRS system

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Content

  • Introduction to Intellectual Property Rights (IPRS)
  • Concept, rationale
  • Distinguishing the Types of IPRS
    • copyright, patents, trademarks, utility models, industrial , trade secrets, new plant varieties, geographical indications, etc.
  • In relation to each type of right - nature of protection; ownership, duration of protection, exceptions, infringement
  • Domain names
  • How IPRS protect innovation and creativity
  • Level of IP protection in Trinidad and Tobago and selected CARICOM States
  • International System of Protection
  • Role of Multilateral, regional and bilateral agreements
  • Patent Documentation as a Source of Technological Information
  • IPRS and Entrepreneurship
  • IPRS and Competitiveness
  • IPRS as Assets- trading (franchising etc.); securitization
  • Creating and Protecting IPRS
  • Using the IPRS owned by Others
  • Managing IPRS
  • Marketing, Licensing;
  • Importance of Agreements- Material Transfer Agreements, Confidentiality agreements
  • Role of Digital Rights Management Systems; copyright collecting societies

 

 

Learning Objectives

By the end of the module, students will have the knowledge, skills and attitudes indicated below: 

Knowledge
Students will be able to:

  • explain the concept of intellectual property as distinct from physical property
  • articulate the rationale for the intellectual property rights system
  • explain the regional and international dimensions regarding the protection of IPRS
  • state the various types of intellectual property rights and the relevant elements e.g. subject-matter covered, nature of rights and duration of protection

Skills:
Students will be able to:

  • identify the intellectual property rights involved in a project/scenario
  • select the appropriate modalities for protecting  and exploiting IPRS in any given situation

Attitudes:
Students will be able to:

  • demonstrate appreciation of the value of IPRS and readiness to factor in/take account of IPRS in any business project or situation
  • demonstrate respect for the IPRS of others

 

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Assignment

The fact that the module will be delivered in just a 3 hour-period limits the possibilities for assignments.  However, during the period, a few short scenarios will be given for analysis and discussion to test whether principles have been grasped.  No marks will be awarded

 

 

Assessment

None proposed in light of Assessment indicated (case study 40% and Practicum 60%) in the Course Proposal

 

 

Evaluation

At the end of the module, students will be asked to complete an evaluation instrument eliciting responses on, among other things a) adequacy of material covered
b) effectiveness of teaching methods and
c) usefulness and adequacy of recommended readings

 

 

Teaching/Learning Strategies

Lecturer and presentation, handouts
Short scenarios for analysis and discussion

 

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Resources:

 

  1. George Shemdoe,(2007) The Role of Intellectual Property System in Innovations in Developing Countries  http://www.innovationafrica.net/pdf/s5_shemdoe_full.pdf
  2. U.S. Department of State: Principles of Entrepreneurship (especially Part 15- Intellectual Property:  A Valuable Business Asset
  3. http://www.usinfo.state.gov/products/pub/entrpreneurship/
  4. WIPO:  Intellectual Property for Business
  5. http://www.wipo.int/sme/en/ip_business/index.html
  6. WIPO:  Intellectual Property Handbook: Policy, Law and Use, WIPO Publication No.489   http://www.wipo.int/about-ip/en/prm/index.html

In addition, the instructor will distribute relevant articles to supplement and expand the material available through the course required readings.

 

Equipment:

N/A

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