Patents, Copyrights, and the Law of Intellectual Property OpenCourseWare: A Free Undergraduate Business Law Class by MIT

Published Jan 30, 2009

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Get a basic understanding of the legal issues of patents and copyrights with 'Patents, Copyrights and the Law of Intellectual Property' from MIT Sloan School of Management's bachelor's degree program. This OpenCourseWare acquaints entrepreneurs and business students with the judicial issues surrounding non-tangible assets.

Patents, Copyrights, and the Law of Intellectual Property: Course Specifics

Degree Level Free Audio Video Downloads
Undergraduate Yes No No Yes

Lectures/Notes Study Materials Tests/Quizzes
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Patents, Copyrights, and the Law of Intellectual Property: Course Description

'Patents, Copyrights, and the Law of Intellectual Property' surveys the fundamental legal principles of intellectual property and what entrepreneurs need to know about IP as they embark on their business venture. Regardless of whether a business plan relies on intellectual property or not, IP issues arise in areas such as trademark infringement and domain names during the normal course of operations. This OpenCourseWare seminar discusses several types of intellectual property, including patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets and service marks. In addition to the intellectual property itself, legal issues surrounding IP, such as licensing agreements and internet domain names, are covered briefly. Readings and assignments cover what is eligible for protection under patent or copyright law, the scopes of patents and copyrights once issued, and exceptions to the intellectual property protections, such as fair use. The text of Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) is examined, along with the implications of the DMCA for intellectual property in the age of the Internet. Study questions encourage seminar students to consider the legal foundation of the principles put forth in the readings, which consist primarily of legal judgments handed down in actual IP lawsuits.

This reading-based OpenCourseWare includes downloadable readings and study questions. If you would like to take this OpenCourseWare, visit the copyright law course website.

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