Advanced Course on Intellectual Property Management

Course outline: The course, Intellectual Property Management, focuses on intellectual property from the perspective of ‘why’ and ‘how’ for participants who have already covered the basics of ‘what’ Intellectual Property is.

Module I proposes a guide on how to study the course on line.  Module II is a broad introduction to the subject of intellectual property as a management discipline and to lay a foundation for the following five modules.  The third Module deals with economic perspectives on IP Management.  The fourth module contains an introduction to innovation and the identification and protection of IP.  In the fifth module IP valuations methods and IP finance are discussed.  In Module VI commercialisation agreements, especially IP licensing is discussed.  The seventh module deals with IPM in the digital era.  There is hardly any product or service today that is not being advertised, at least, or sold through e-commerce.  The WIPO Worldwide Academy developed a course on IP and e-commerce (DL-202) in 2002 and this module further explores the management issues.  In the eighth module the development and implementation of an IP strategy is addressed.  The ninth module contains two case studies and offers a sequence of learning opportunities that address the interdisciplinary nature of Intellectual Property Management (IPM).

In the first three modules, it teaches about the economic significance of IP. Using management examples and established industry methodologies, it elaborates on IP asset identification, IP incubation, IP commercialization, IP valuation, and IP taxation. In the last three modules it offers an in-depth look at commercial activities in the digital area by looking at e-commerce and IP, digital management of creative works, and the strategic management of IP.

Aims: This course has the following aims:

• Raise awareness of the principal concepts of IPM and its importance as a spur to human creativity and the advancement of economic and social development,
• Explain what constitutes IPM.
• Explain the economic rationale for IPM.
• Explain the process of innovation and value transference in the protection of intellectual property (IP).
• Explain the issues related to the commercial exploitation of IP.
• Raise awareness of the issues facing a manager in the management of IP in an on-line environment.
• Explain how to develop and implement a successful IPM strategy.

Course Description: The course consists of eight substantive modules, a glossary and a module of case studies¨.

The eight modules of this course offer a sequence of learning opportunities that address the interdisciplinary nature of Intellectual Property Management (IPM). Unless stated otherwise, all the case studies make part of WIPO publications.

1. Guide to Studying the Course
2. Introduction and an Overview of Intellectual Property Management
3. Economic Perspectives on Intellectual Property
4. Innovation and Intellectual Property Protection
5. Intellectual Property Value and Finance
6. Intellectual Property and Commercialization
7. On line Intellectual Property Management
8. Strategy for Intellectual Property Management
9. Case Studies for Intellectual Property Management

Each Module of the course is preceded by a list of learning objectives, which detail the competencies you should have after your study of that section.

To help you test your progress, you will find self-assessment questions (SAQs) at various points in the materials.

In addition to the on line access to the course content and to a tutor whose job it will be to assist your learning, the Academy will make the courses content available on PDF to allow you to study off line.

Target audience: The level of the course is best described as intermediate in intellectual property studies and it is firmly targeted at people who have basic knowledge in IP or Business Management. The course is therefore useful for people generating, or professionals responsible for managing and protecting various forms of, intellectual property, who wish to be aware of the legal and business considerations in making decisions. It is strongly recommended that those who register for the course already posses knowledge of intellectual property or have taken the General Course on IP (DL-101). Knowledge on Copyright (WIPO DL-201); Patents (WIPO DL-301); and Trademark (WIPO DL-302) would be an asset to those enrolling in this IPM course.

Timeframe: This course involves approximately 100 hours of study time over a period of 10 weeks. It is offered in English.

Tutorial: The course will be tutored by experts in the field of IPM. You will be sent access codes to the on line virtual class. Your tutor’s contact details, biography and photo will be linked to your profile, starting from the second week. The first week is period of orientation. The tutor will guide the participants during their study of the course and respond to their substantive questions, as well as maintain discussions through the Academy’s learning management platform to which you will have access until the final exam week. (Tutors will reply to substantive questions only) For administrative questions such as access codes, dates on when a certain action is required, and exam modalities and certificate receipt, you may contact the WIPO course administrator.

Mode of communication: All communication regarding course registration, administrative assistance and tutorial support during and after the course are strictly limited email communication. Please note that the Distance Learning Section has a dedicated mailbox for each of its courses and course administrators are ready to assist you at any stage of your participation. Participants are kindly requested to provide a fixed email address for at least one year and keep email boxes clear to receive communication from the Academy.

Final Exam: Approximately one week prior to the deadline of the completion of the course, you will be contacted by the WIPO course administrator with regards to the modalities for submission of the final exam. The final exam will consist of a complex case study. The tutor will evaluate the final exam and final grades will be available in each participant’s electronic file. The participant is responsible for checking his/her grade on line during the prescribed time.

Certificate: Once you have completed the self-assessment questions and the end-of module exams and you have passed the final exam with at least (50%) you will be eligible for a WIPO certificate stating that you have studied the course and passed the exam. Certificates are mailed to each participant.

Fees: List of applicable fees for 2011

Course Schedule 2010 (subject to change):

Technical requirements

• A computer connected to the Internet
• Internet Explorer 5 or higher
• Sound card and speakers
• Real Player software
• Adobe Acrobat Reader