Navigating the Intellectual Property Landscape

Catalog description

Intellectual property is increasingly becoming a central feature of the modern economy. Though most are vaguely aware of its general purpose, business familiarity and comfort with this seemingly exotic area remains elusive. Rather than a singular field, intellectual property is best understood as the collection of its constituent parts of trademark, copyright, trade secrecy and patents. Each of these have their distinct realms of application and have their distinct features, benefits and pitfalls. Business decision makers in all industries can no longer afford to remain in the dark about these fields. Non-lawyers increasingly must be conversant with at least the basic contours. The course provides an overview of the fundamental features of trademark, copyright, trade secrecy and patents with an emphasis on their distinct subject matter and their particular strategic benefits and pitfalls.