IP Law Basics: Protecting & Licensing Tech Assets

IP Law Basics: Protecting & Licensing Tech Assets

This course is part of Intellectual Property Law and Emerging Technologies Specialization

Instructor: Elizabeth Rothman

Included with Learn more

2 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

2 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Determine who owns IP and apply work-for-hire rules, IP assignments, and joint ownership agreements for employees, contractors, and partners
Compare exclusive, sole, and non-exclusive licenses and evaluate scope, royalty structures, and key provisions in licensing agreements
Know when to involve IP counsel, prepare effectively, and manage fees and scope to make better-informed business decisions

Details to know

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Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Intellectual Property Law and Emerging Technologies Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 2 modules in this course

This course gives business professionals a practical understanding of how intellectual property works in practice: who owns it, how it moves between parties, and how to work with legal counsel. You will learn the default ownership rules and how work-for-hire, employment, contractor, and joint development agreements change them. You will also learn how licenses are structured, from exclusivity and scope to royalty models, and how to read the key provisions of a licensing agreement. Finally, you will learn when to involve IP counsel and how to prepare, manage costs, and ask questions that lead to actionable advice.

You will learn why intellectual property exists, how it works as a business tool, and how patents, trade secrets, copyright, and trademarks each protect different aspects of a technology company's assets. You will also practice spotting IP issues in real-world products, including a connected home security device and a SaaS analytics platform. Finally, you will learn how the four types of IP work together as complementary layers, and why the territorial nature of IP rights and patent filing deadlines matter for global businesses.

What's included

10 videos1 reading9 assignments

10 videosTotal 70 minutes

Course Overview8 minutes
Why IP Exists and Why It Matters for Business8 minutes
Patents9 minutes
Trade Secrets9 minutes
Copyright9 minutes
Trademarks10 minutes
IP Spotting and Home Security Camera6 minutes
IP Spotting SaaS Company5 minutes
How IP Types Work Together5 minutes
A Message on Professional Development Pathways1 minute

1 readingTotal 10 minutes

Further Pathways to Expand Your Legal Credentials10 minutes

9 assignmentsTotal 270 minutes

Knowledge Check: Course Overview30 minutes
Knowledge Check: Why IP Exists and Why It Matters for Business30 minutes
Knowledge Check: Patents30 minutes
Knowledge Check: Trade Secrets30 minutes
Knowledge Check: Copyright30 minutes
Knowledge Check: Trademarks30 minutes
Knowledge Check: IP Spotting and Home Security Camera30 minutes
Knowledge Check: IP Spotting SaaS Company30 minutes
Knowledge Check: How IP Types Work Together30 minutes

You will learn who owns intellectual property by default, how the work-for-hire doctrine applies to employees and contractors, and how to structure employment, contractor, and joint development agreements so the company secures its rights. You will also learn how licenses are structured, including exclusivity, scope, and royalties, how to read the key provisions of a licensing agreement, and how to know when to involve legal counsel and work with them effectively.

What's included

9 videos1 reading9 assignments

9 videosTotal 45 minutes

IP Ownership5 minutes
Work for Hire6 minutes
Independent Contractor IP5 minutes
Joint Ownership5 minutes
Licensing Fundamentals6 minutes
Licensing Terms7 minutes
Working with Counsel4 minutes
Managing Counsel Relationships5 minutes
Congratulations & Next Steps2 minutes

1 readingTotal 10 minutes

Further Pathways to Expand Your Legal Credentials10 minutes

9 assignmentsTotal 270 minutes

Confirmation Check30 minutes
Knowledge Check: IP Ownership30 minutes
Knowledge Check: Work for Hire30 minutes
Knowledge Check: Independent Contractor IP30 minutes
Knowledge Check: Joint Ownership30 minutes
Knowledge Check: Licensing Fundamentals30 minutes
Knowledge Check: Licensing Terms30 minutes
Knowledge Check: Working with Counsel30 minutes
Knowledge Check: Managing Counsel Relationships30 minutes

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Instructor

Elizabeth Rothman

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

0 Courses0 learners

Offered by

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

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