Intellectual Property

This survey course introduces the four fundamental types of intellectual property protection: patent, trademark, trade secret, and copyright. Additionally, some time will be spent exploring the concepts of unfair competition and the right of publicity. This course is designed to give students a general working knowledge of the types of intellectual property protection available, as well as the strengths and limitations of each type and how they may be used to complement one another. A technical background is not required, even for the patent materials.

By the end of the course, students should be able to:

  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the four fundamental intellectual property protections: patent, trademark, trade secret, and copyright, as well as the general concepts of unfair competition and right of publicity.
  • Identify the strengths and weaknesses of each type of intellectual property protection and explain how they may be used to complement each other.
  • Assess and interpret the law of intellectual property by applying it through participation in classroom discussions and examinations.