This course gives business professionals a practical understanding of how to protect technology innovations with patents, copyright, and trade secrets. You will learn what makes an invention patentable, how eligibility rules affect software, AI, and biotech, and how to choose between patent and trade secret protection. You will also explore the limits of copyright, who owns AI-generated content, how to run a trade secret program, and how to combine multiple forms of IP into a layered strategy. Throughout, you will build the knowledge to work effectively with legal counsel and make informed IP decisions for your company.
IP Law Strategy for Tech: Patents, Copyright & Trade Secrets
IP Law Strategy for Tech: Patents, Copyright & Trade Secrets
This course is part of Intellectual Property Law and Emerging Technologies Specialization
Instructor: Elizabeth Rothman
Access provided by Karaganda Medical University
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level
Recommended experience
9 hours to complete
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
What you'll learn
Assess whether an innovation is patentable and read patent claims, including eligibility issues for software, AI, and biotech.
Explain what copyright protects, how fair use applies, and who owns AI-generated content.
Choose between patents and trade secrets, build a trade secret program, and combine IP types into a layered protection strategy.
Skills you'll gain
- Product Strategy
- Commercialization
- Technology Strategies
- Data Security
- Artificial Intelligence
- Asset Protection
- Legal Strategy
- Intellectual Property
- Emerging Technologies
- Law, Regulation, and Compliance
- Regulation and Legal Compliance
- Process Design
- Technical Management
- Digital Assets
- Legal Research
- Workflow Management
- Strategic Thinking
- Legal Risk
- Business Strategy
Tools you'll learn
Details to know
Shareable certificate
Add to your LinkedIn profile
Assessments
15 assignments
Taught in English
Recently updated!
October 2026
See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills
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
Earn a career certificate
Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.
Instructor
Offered by
Why people choose Coursera for their career
Felipe M.
Learner since 2018
"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."
Jennifer J.
Learner since 2020
"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."
Larry W.
Learner since 2021
"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."
Chaitanya A.
"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."
Explore more from Information Technology
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign