We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Course image
Wilson L. White and Dr. James V. Green

For aspiring and active entrepreneurs, this course focuses on the opportunities and challenges of intellectual property. Intellectual property is a commonly discussed, often misunderstand, element of entrepreneurship and law. Knowing how to create and manage patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets is a valuable skill for entrepreneurs and business leaders.

Read more

For aspiring and active entrepreneurs, this course focuses on the opportunities and challenges of intellectual property. Intellectual property is a commonly discussed, often misunderstand, element of entrepreneurship and law. Knowing how to create and manage patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets is a valuable skill for entrepreneurs and business leaders.

Regardless of size and industry, a business’s intellectual property is often more valuable than its physical assets. Companies invest tremendous resources in developing innovative new products and services. Intellectual property law discourages competitors from immediately profiting from another’s invention, and provides incentives for continued innovation.

"Intellectual Property for Entrepreneurs" is one of three courses in the "Legal Aspects of Entrepreneurship Specialization" by Coursera and the University of Maryland. This specialization explores the critical legal and business issues entrepreneurs face as they build and launch a new venture. Learners examine real-world scenarios and address legal and business issues from ideation to all of the important junctures along the path to success. Significant attention is placed on new venture formation, intellectual property management, and contracts and financing arrangements.

Enroll now

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to Intellectual Property for Entrepreneurs
Get acquainted with the learning experience and course format, meet the faculty, and connect with classmates from across the globe.
Read more
Patents
Copyright, Trademark, and Trade Secrets
Next Steps

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Explores creation, management, and legal complications of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets
Instructors are experts in business, law, and copyright
Taught by the University of Maryland, a leader in entrepreneurship
Covers the business and legal issues faced by entrepreneurs in the early stages of a venture
Requires students to examine real-world scenarios and address the legal issues that arise from starting and growing a new business
Taught as part of a specialization, which requires additional courses to complete

Save this course

Save Intellectual Property for Entrepreneurs to your list so you can find it easily later:
Save

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Intellectual Property for Entrepreneurs with these activities:
Review the Textbook: Intellectual Property Law: Cases and Materials
Reinforce understanding of intellectual property law by reviewing a comprehensive and authoritative textbook.
Show steps
  • Read and analyze key chapters related to the course topics.
  • Summarize and outline the main concepts and legal doctrines.
  • Complete the end-of-chapter exercises and review questions.
Review Legal Fundamentals
Brush up on fundamental legal concepts to enhance understanding of intellectual property law.
Browse courses on Legal Concepts
Show steps
  • Review basic legal principles and terminology.
  • Explore foundational concepts in contract law and tort law.
  • Examine the structure and function of the legal system.
Practice Questions
Complete practice questions from the course material to reinforce understanding of IP concepts.
Show steps
  • Identify areas for improvement
  • Practice questions related to those areas
  • Review correct answers and explanations
Ten other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all 13 activities
Develop an Intellectual Property Portfolio
Create a comprehensive portfolio of intellectual property to solidify understanding of its creation and management.
Show steps
  • Identify potential intellectual property in your business or idea.
  • Research different types of intellectual property and their protection mechanisms.
  • Draft and file applications for patents, trademarks, or copyrights.
  • Monitor and maintain your intellectual property portfolio.
Patent Discussion Group
Engage in discussions on patent law and strategies with peers to gain diverse perspectives and enhance understanding.
Browse courses on Patents
Show steps
  • Prepare by reviewing course material on patents
  • Attend the discussion group
  • Actively participate in discussions
  • Share insights and ask questions
IP Mentorship
Share IP knowledge and experience by mentoring other students, providing guidance and support in understanding course concepts.
Show steps
  • Identify students seeking mentorship
  • Schedule regular mentoring sessions
  • Provide guidance on course material
  • Share insights and practical advice
  • Encourage and motivate mentees
Attend a Legal Industry Conference
Engage with experts and peers at industry events to gain practical insights and expand professional network.
Show steps
  • Research and identify relevant legal industry conferences.
  • Register and attend the conference.
  • Network with speakers, attendees, and exhibitors.
  • Attend presentations and workshops on intellectual property law.
IP Management Plan
Develop a comprehensive plan for managing IP assets, including patenting strategies and copyright protection measures.
Show steps
  • Research IP best practices
  • Identify and prioritize IP assets
  • Develop patenting strategies
  • Outline copyright protection measures
  • Create a draft IP management plan
Produce an Explanatory Video on Intellectual Property Rights
Create a visually engaging video to explain complex concepts of intellectual property rights, enhancing comprehension.
Show steps
  • Research and gather information on intellectual property rights.
  • Develop a clear and concise script for the video.
  • Use visuals, animations, and examples to illustrate the concepts.
  • Edit and finalize the video.
Pro Bono IP Assistance
Provide pro bono IP assistance to non-profit organizations or individuals, applying IP knowledge to real-world scenarios.
Show steps
  • Identify pro bono IP opportunities
  • Review project briefs
  • Conduct IP research and analysis
  • Provide legal guidance on IP matters
  • Reflect on experiences and share learnings
Contribute to Open Source IP Project
Gain practical experience by working on an open source IP-related project, contributing to the community and expanding understanding.
Show steps
  • Identify open source IP projects
  • Review project documentation
  • Contribute code or documentation
  • Collaborate with project maintainers
  • Share learnings with the course community
Participate in an Intellectual Property Law Workshop
Engage in hands-on learning through workshops to deepen understanding of specific aspects of intellectual property law.
Browse courses on Intellectual Property Law
Show steps
  • Identify workshops offered by law schools, bar associations, or legal organizations.
  • Attend the workshop and actively participate in discussions and exercises.
  • Network with other participants and workshop leaders.
Organize and Review Course Materials
Review and synthesize course materials to enhance comprehension and retention.
Show steps
  • Gather and organize notes, assignments, and presentations.
  • Create summaries and mind maps to highlight key concepts.
  • Review and reinforce understanding through regular spaced repetition.

Career center

Learners who complete Intellectual Property for Entrepreneurs will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
IP Strategist
IP Strategists help businesses develop and implement strategies for protecting and exploiting their intellectual property. This requires a strong understanding of intellectual property law as well as business strategy. Intellectual Property for Entrepreneurs would enable individuals in or wishing to pursue a career as an IP Strategist to gain an understanding of how IP may be deployed to meet business goals.
IP Consultant
IP Consultants help businesses with all aspects of intellectual property management. They may work on patent and trademark issues, as well as with the development and implementation of IP strategy. This course could be of particular use to those wishing to become an IP Consultant, especially for those who come from a background other than law. It might also be helpful to those who wish to strengthen their knowledge of IP more generally.
IP Licensing Manager
IP Licensing Managers are responsible for negotiating and managing licensing agreements for intellectual property. Intellectual Property for Entrepreneurs may help develop a foundation in IP for those seeking this role, as well as help them understand the various ways IP can be licensed, depending on the IP involved.
Trademark Administrator
Trademark Administrators are responsible for helping to administer and protect trademarks. Knowing how to manage trademarks would be valuable, especially for those who wish to work with clients for whom trademark protection is of major importance for their business. This course stands to help further this knowledge by providing an overview of trademarks among other aspects of IP management.
Patent Litigation Attorney
Patent Litigation Attorneys focus on representing clients in patent infringement lawsuits. They must have a strong understanding of intellectual property law, especially with regards to patents. And since patent law is a particular topic for this course, it may be of interest to those who wish to pursue this career and develop a foundation in this area.
IP Lawyer
IP Lawyers specialize in intellectual property law. They represent clients with issues related to patents, trademarks, copyrights, and other forms of intellectual property. Given that its curriculum covers patents, trademarks, and copyright, Intellectual Property for Entrepreneurs may be a useful overview for those with a background in law who wish to explore IP in more detail, particularly those who wish to become IP Lawyers.
Copyright Specialist
Copyright Specialists are responsible for helping to manage and protect copyrights. They need to be familiar with how copyright works so they can advise clients on copyright matters. Given that copyright is part of the curriculum for this course, Intellectual Property for Entrepreneurs would help those who wish to work with copyright issues, particularly on behalf of clients.
Patent Attorney
Patent Attorneys are experts in intellectual property law that focuses on patents. They help clients protect their inventions by drafting and filing patent applications. Given this course's specific mention of patents, Intellectual Property for Entrepreneurs may be of some use to aspiring Patent Attorneys who may or may not come from a background in law.
Trademark Attorney
Trademark Attorneys help clients protect their trademarks. They may also work on related matters such as copyright and trade secret law. Intellectual Property for Entrepreneurs may be of interest to those wishing to pursue this career, especially those coming from a background other than law.
IP Researcher
IP Researchers conduct research on intellectual property issues. They may work on patent, trademark, copyright, or other IP-related matters. Intellectual Property for Entrepreneurs may be helpful for those wishing to perform research in IP, where this overview course could build a foundation.
IP Paralegal
IP Paralegals assist attorneys with intellectual property matters. They may work on patent, trademark, copyright, or other IP-related matters. Intellectual Property for Entrepreneurs may be of particular use to individuals with a background in law, or those who work closely with IP attorneys and wish to enhance their knowledge.
IP Auditor
IP Auditors review a company's intellectual property portfolio and provide advice on how to improve its IP strategy. Intellectual Property for Entrepreneurs may be of use to those looking to understand how to manage IP from an auditor's perspective, where the course could help build a foundation for this pursuit.
IP Librarian
IP Librarians manage and organize intellectual property collections. Intellectual Property for Entrepreneurs may be useful to those who wish to pursue a career as an IP Librarian, as an introduction to IP management.
IP Journalist
IP Journalists write about intellectual property issues for news outlets and other publications. Intellectual Property for Entrepreneurs may be of some use to aspiring IP Journalists, helping them develop a foundation of knowledge in this area.
IP Educator
IP Educators teach intellectual property law and related subjects at universities and other educational institutions. Intellectual Property for Entrepreneurs could be of use to those who wish to teach about IP, though an advanced degree is more typical.

Reading list

We've selected 12 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Intellectual Property for Entrepreneurs.
Provides a comprehensive overview of copyright law, with a focus on the issues that are most relevant to librarians and educators. It useful reference tool for anyone who deals with copyright issues.
Provides a comprehensive overview of trademark law, including the different types of trademarks, how to register a trademark, and how to enforce your trademark rights. It commonly used textbook at academic institutions and is also valuable as a reference for entrepreneurs and business leaders.
Provides a comprehensive overview of intellectual property law in the digital age. It addresses the challenges and opportunities created by the Internet, including the protection of digital content, the use of open source software, and the regulation of online commerce.
Provides a comprehensive overview of international intellectual property law, including the different international treaties and organizations that govern intellectual property rights. It useful reference tool for anyone who deals with international intellectual property issues.
Provides a comprehensive overview of intellectual property strategy for businesses. It addresses the challenges and opportunities of managing intellectual property, including how to identify, protect, and commercialize intellectual property assets.
Provides insights into the challenges of innovation and how to overcome them. It valuable read for entrepreneurs and business leaders who are looking to develop and market new products and services.
Provides a unique perspective on entrepreneurship and how to build a successful business. It valuable read for entrepreneurs who are looking to learn from the experiences of others.
Provides a practical guide to building a successful startup. It valuable read for entrepreneurs who are looking to learn how to validate their ideas, build a customer base, and launch their business.
Provides insights into the challenges of crossing the chasm from early adopters to mainstream customers. It valuable read for entrepreneurs and business leaders who are looking to grow their business.
Provides a framework for developing and evaluating good strategy. It valuable read for entrepreneurs and business leaders who are looking to improve their strategic thinking.
Provides insights into the DNA of successful innovators. It valuable read for entrepreneurs and business leaders who are looking to develop their innovative capabilities.

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Similar courses

Here are nine courses similar to Intellectual Property for Entrepreneurs.
Legal Foundations for Entrepreneurs
Most relevant
Legal Contracts and Agreements for Entrepreneurs
Most relevant
Launching New Ventures
Most relevant
Complete Law Course for Entrepreneurs
Most relevant
How to Start a Biotech Venture
Most relevant
U.S Startup & Small Business Registration And Business Law
Most relevant
Basic Japanese Civil Law 2
Most relevant
Intellectual Property Law and Policy: Part 1
Most relevant
Making Successful Decisions through the Strategy, Law &...
Most relevant
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2024 OpenCourser