851-0738-03L  Protecting Inventions in Chemistry

SemesterAutumn Semester 2017
LecturersC. Soltmann
Periodicityyearly recurring course
Language of instructionGerman
CommentParticularly suitable for students of D-CHAB



Courses

NumberTitleHoursLecturers
851-0738-03 VDer Schutz von Erfindungen in der Chemie2 hrs
Fri09:45-11:30HPL D 32 »
C. Soltmann

Catalogue data

AbstractThe lecture gives students of chemistry-related degree programs an overview of the options to protect inventions and the underlying research efforts. The lecture aims to put the participants in a position to use this know-how in the workplace.
Learning objectiveResearch and development play an important role in chemistry-related technology sectors such as inorganic and organic chemistry or pharmacy.

Investments in the development of new substances and active components in these sectors are traditionally secured by patents because publicly known inventions, generally chemical substances, may easily be reproduced by others.

In the last years, the know-how about intellectual property has become increasingly important for chemists and engineers. Both in the production process and in the distribution sector, chemists and engineers are increasingly being confronted with questions concerning the patenting of technical inventions and the use of patent information. As more than three-quarters of all publicly available technical information are available only in patents, it is more and more important for researchers and engineers to be capable of extracting relevant information from the flood of patents.

Patents are not only a powerful measure to protect investments and inventions in chemistry-related sectors but also an important source of information about competitors and potential cooperation partners and about the development of markets. Accordingly, the know-how about patents and patent information has become a key qualification on the strategic level in companies and in the research sector.

The seminar is customised to the needs of chemists and students of related degree programs. Participants will become familiar with practice-oriented aspects of intellectual property and will be enabled to use the acquired knowledge in their future professional life.

Topics covered during the lecture will include:
- The importance of innovation in industrialised countries
- An overview of the different forms of intellectual property
- The protection of technical inventions and how to safeguard their commercialisation
- Patents as a source of technical and business information
- Practical aspects of intellectual property in day-to-day research, at the workplace and for the formation of start-ups
- Special aspects of protecting inventions in chemistry-related sectors, e.g. polymorphs and inventions in the field of nanotechnology.

Case studies will illustrate and deepen the topics addressed during the lecture.

The seminar will comprise practical exercises on how to use and search patent information. Basic knowledge of how to read and evaluate patent documents as well as how to use publicly available patent databases to obtain the required patent information will also be provided.
Prerequisites / NoticeThe lecture is coordinated in particular to the needs of the following degree programs: Agricultural science, biotechnology, chemical engineering, chemistry, food science, pharmaceutical sciences.

For engineering and physics students, the lecture 'The Role of Intellectual Property in daily routine: A Practical Introduction' (851-0738-01) will be offered in the autumn semester.

Performance assessment

Performance assessment information (valid until the course unit is held again)
Performance assessment as a semester course
ECTS credits2 credits
ExaminersC. Soltmann
Typegraded semester performance
Language of examinationGerman
RepetitionRepetition only possible after re-enrolling for the course unit.

Learning materials

No public learning materials available.
Only public learning materials are listed.

Groups

No information on groups available.

Restrictions

There are no additional restrictions for the registration.

Offered in

ProgrammeSectionType
Doctoral Department of Humanities, Social and Political SciencesDoctoral and Post-Doctoral CoursesWInformation
GESS Science in PerspectiveLawWInformation
GESS Science in PerspectiveD-CHABWInformation