Introduction to Intellectual Property
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Introduction to Intellectual Property
This course is part of Intellectual Property Law Specialization
Instructor: R. Polk Wagner
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What you'll learn
Identify the various forms of intellectual property protection available under U.S. Law
Differentiate the advantages and disadvantages of intellectual property administration
Analyze effective intellectual property strategies through case studies
Examine alternatives to formal intellectual property protections
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There are 4 modules in this course
Intellectual property is the currency of the tech world, with the world’s most valuable intellectual property assets dwarfing the value of their real-world counterparts. Apple’ trademarked brand was valued at over $100 billion as of 2017. J.K. Rowling’s Harry potter franchise has generated over $25 billion to date. But how did the law come to create such enormous value in intangible assets?
This course will introduce the various types of U.S. intellectual property: patents, which cover inventions and process innovations; copyright, which protects original works of authorship; and trademarks, which protect a business’ commercial identity as the source of valuable goods and services. You will then explore case studies of how global businesses have used intellectual property law to generate enormous value from these intangible assets.
This module will introduce the concept of intellectual property and explain how it creates value. You will learn about the major forms of intellectual property protection in the United States - copyright, trademarks, and patents, as well as alternative forms of intellectual property protection.
What's included
8 videos4 readings4 assignments1 discussion prompt
8 videos•Total 61 minutes
- Introduction to Intellectual Property•6 minutes
- Why Learn About Intellectual Property Law?•8 minutes
- Expansion of Intellectual Property•7 minutes
- Patents•11 minutes
- Trademarks•12 minutes
- Copyright•7 minutes
- Other Regimes•7 minutes
- Takeaway Points•3 minutes
4 readings•Total 105 minutes
- Pre-Course Survey (Optional)•10 minutes
- Optional Reading: Intellectual Property Overview•20 minutes
- Optional Reading: Why IP is Valuable•45 minutes
- Overlaps in IP•30 minutes
4 assignments•Total 105 minutes
- Patent Quiz•30 minutes
- Trademarks Quiz•30 minutes
- Copyrights Quiz•30 minutes
- Module 1 Quiz•15 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
- Introduce Yourself!•10 minutes
Why have intellectual property protection at all? This module examines the effect of intellectual property law on the modern economy, and the policy reasons behind providing intellectual property protection.
What's included
7 videos4 readings3 assignments
7 videos•Total 50 minutes
- Why have IP Rights?•9 minutes
- Basic Intellectual Property Economics•9 minutes
- The Mechanisms of Intellectual Property Rights•9 minutes
- The Costs of Intellectual Property•7 minutes
- Mechanism of IP Rights as Property•6 minutes
- Balance of Intellectual Property Rights•7 minutes
- Takeaway Points•3 minutes
4 readings•Total 85 minutes
- Is IP a Natural or Utilitarian Right?•25 minutes
- IP as a Public Good•25 minutes
- IP and Monopolies•10 minutes
- Costs and Benefits to Patents•25 minutes
3 assignments•Total 80 minutes
- IP Theories•30 minutes
- Costs of IP•30 minutes
- Module 2 Quiz•20 minutes
Intellectual property law is ever-evolving as society's needs change. This module examines alternative forms of intellectual property protection, and explores the benefits and drawbacks of those alternatives.
What's included
7 videos3 readings3 assignments1 discussion prompt
7 videos•Total 59 minutes
- Alternatives to Intellectual Property Law•8 minutes
- Alternatives to Patent Law•9 minutes
- Alternatives to Patent Law: Government Contracts•11 minutes
- Alternatives to Copyright Law•8 minutes
- Alternatives to Copyright: Private Subscriptions•12 minutes
- Alternatives to Trademark Law•8 minutes
- Takeaway Points•2 minutes
3 readings•Total 75 minutes
- Trade Secrets as an Alternative to Patents•25 minutes
- Optional Reading: Beyond the Patents-Prizes Debate•25 minutes
- Optional Reading: Open Source•25 minutes
3 assignments•Total 75 minutes
- Patent Law Alternatives•30 minutes
- Copyright Law Alternatives•30 minutes
- Module 3 Quiz•15 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
- Should we use our current IP systems?•10 minutes
This module takes an in-depth look at the intellectual property strategies of three major companies across three very different industries: Apple, General Motors, and Novartis.
What's included
6 videos5 readings1 assignment1 peer review
6 videos•Total 56 minutes
- Case Studies in Intellectual Property Law•11 minutes
- Case Study: Apple Computers•13 minutes
- Case Study: General Motors•12 minutes
- Case Study: Novartis•13 minutes
- Case Study: Novartis Part 2•4 minutes
- Takeaway Points•3 minutes
5 readings•Total 95 minutes
- Apple Computers•25 minutes
- GM and the Auto Industry•25 minutes
- Novartis and Pharmaceutical IP Strategies•25 minutes
- Concluding Thoughts•10 minutes
- Post-Course Survey (Optional)•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
- Review of IP Forms•30 minutes
1 peer review•Total 120 minutes
- Banana Shoes•120 minutes
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Reviewed on Feb 23, 2020
This course gives a legal foundation to understand intellectual property and a complete review of three major forms of intellectual properties. Great engaging lectures. Highly recommended.
Reviewed on May 11, 2020
Mr. Wagner is so thorough in providing you with a simple explanation of the entire Intellectual Property Law. Would definitely take other courses instructed by him..
Reviewed on Jun 21, 2021
This was an absolutely fantastic course! I've come to know so much about how IP works in detail and it was a great idea to include its alternatives as well!
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