Start-Ups from the Perspective of Business and Intellectual Property Law

This course covers the intersection between start-ups, entrepreneurship, and intellectual property (IP) law. Students gain skills with navigation of major tenets of intellectual property law including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets as these concepts relate to start-ups and entrepreneurship. Students also gain experience in presenting shark tank and more formal pitches that incorporate references to the IP holdings of start-ups or small businesses. Further, students receive an introduction to the basics of contract instruments which allow for sharing of IP with entities outside of a start-up while protecting the IP of the start-up. Lastly, students are exposed to the IP litigation landscape that start-ups face using actual litigation matters. For example, students are provided with an overview of discovery and gain deposition skills through a hands-on approach. Upon completing the course, students are able to perform basic legal research, understand basic case law, and interpret basic legal documents, such as patent applications and simple confidentiality agreements, which are relevant to start-ups during their funding and growth periods.