MS4662: Appreciating IP in Research and Development

Academic Units3
Semester2
Pre-requisite(s)Nil
Co-requisite(s)Nil

Course Instructors

IPOS International

Course AIMS

This course provides you with a working understanding on engineering research and development and intellectual property (IP) in related context. It also trains you to apply and use IP knowledge to address real-life IP-related issues in the R&D context.

Key themes that will be covered are assessing IP issues related to R&D, and the implementation and monitoring of suitable approaches to address these IP issues. Expanding on these, the course explores how an understanding of IP rights protection laws and their considerations can guide and support an organisation’s R&D activities and strategies.

Particular emphasis  will be placed on the practical and legal issues in relation to managing the R&D value chain of creation/innovation, identification, ownership, protection, and commercial exploitation of intellectual assets. Case studies related to various branches of engineering including materials science engineering, will be presented and discussed.

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you (as a student) would be able to:   

  1. Appraise the objectives and importance of R&D to an organisation.
  2. Identify IP issues in relation to the R&D life cycle and context.
  3. Assess relevant IP management matters in a given R&D context.
  4. Formulate and recommend suitable approaches or relevant IP practices in order to maximize R&D outcomes.
  5. Develop ways to address IP issues arising in R&D life -cycle and R&D management processes.
  6. Explain which stakeholders should be collaborated with in an R&D context.

Course Content

  1. Introduction & Importance of R&D
  2. Objectives of R&D
  3. Assessing IP Issues in Relation to R&D: Types of IP Rights, Knowledge Leakages, Trade Secrets, Collaboration Issues, Methods of Commercialization, Infringement Avoidance
  4. Objectives of approaches to address IP issues
  5. Implementing Courses of Action to address IP issues
  6. Assessing IP Issues in Relation to R&D: Monitoring Implementation
  7. Introduction & Importance of R&D

Reading and References

  • IPA-authored Learner’s Guide containing key content (required)
  • Martin A. Bader, Intellectual Property Management in R&D Collaborations, SPRINGER, 2006.