Management of Intellectual Property Rights

Teacher(s)

Wéry François;

Language

English

Main themes

Introduction to economic analysis of law Law and economics of patent Law and economics of copyright

Content

This course aims to provide Master's students with an in-depth understanding of how intellectual property (patents, copyrights, trademarks, know-how...) is used and managed in the real-life context of companies, universities and start-ups. The course covers the following topics, among others:

• Management and promotion of creation and innovation in companies.
• Strategic management of patents, copyrights, trademarks, and know-how.
• Negotiation of collaboration contracts: Joint Development Agreement, NDA, MTA.
• Licensing structures and royalty calculations (trademarks and patents).
• IP use by start-ups.
• Open vs. closed innovation.
• Research and development contracts between companies and universities.
• Structure and operation of innovation clusters.
• Technology transfer.
• Export control regulations and national security constraints.
• IP and TRIPS.

Teaching methods

The course alternates between lectures and group work, with a strong emphasis on student interaction and active participation. Students will work on case studies in groups, conduct negotiations and present their results in term-sheet format.
The use of AI is necessary for group work.  A two-hour course on the use of AI by lawyers is included as an introduction.
Course materials are mainly in English, but the course is taught in French. Students can interact in either English or French during the course, enabling non-French-speaking students to participate in the course provided they have a passive knowledge of French (B2).  Understanding English materials requires a minimum level of B1. Materials will be available online, and further reading is recommended.

Evaluation methods

Assessment is based on group work (10 points out of 20) and an open book exam (10 points out of 20). The exam can be taken in French or English (on request).

Other information

This course, LDROP 2101, is designed in synergy with the LDROP 2103 course "Intellectual Property Contract Law" (Prof. V. Cassiers), offering an integrated and comprehensive learning experience on intellectual property management. The two courses address several common themes from different and complementary angles, and both share several case studies, enabling students to follow the process from initial negotiation through to the formal drafting of contracts. The aim of synchronizing the courses is to place the student in a real-life business situation where management considerations (Pr. Wery) and strictly legal considerations (Pr. Cassiers) interact.
The group exercise comprises two independent parts based on a common case study. In the Management course, students analyze and negotiate an agreement between companies, resulting in the creation of term-sheets. In the Contract course, based on the same case study, students draft contracts based on the term-sheets created in the Management course. This ongoing process reinforces students' understanding of the subtleties and challenges of negotiating and contracting in intellectual property.
It is not compulsory to register for LDROP 2103 (Contracts) in order to take LDROP 2101 (Management). The two courses are independent and target different learning outcomes. However, the two courses are complementary and designed as such, so it is advisable to take both courses to get the most out of this unique pedagogical approach.

Faculty or entity

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