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Patents
Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:07:39
Abstract
Knowledge in the field of intellectual property, especially of patents and trademarks, with particular emphasis on pharmaceutics.Introduction into intellectual property; prosecution of patent applications; patent information; exploitation and enforcement of patents; peculiarities in pharmaceutics and medicine.
Objective
Students can apply principles of patent law to identify and navigate intellectual property risks in research as well as to avoid common pitfalls. They can evaluate intellectual property documents to judge their relevance and extract crucial information. Students know the requirements for patent protection and the peculiarities in life sciences.
Content
1. Introduction into industrial property (patents, trademarks, industrial designs); 2. Prosecution of patent applications (patentability); 3. Patent information (patent publications, databases, searches); 4. Exploitation and enforcement of patents (possibilities of exploitation, licenses, parallel imports, scope of protection, patent infringement); 5. Peculiarities in pharmaceutics and medicine (supplementary protection certificates, experimental use exemption, therapy and diagnosis, medical indication); 6. Social, political and ethical aspects (patents and prices for medicinal products,), Case study on the application of what has been learned; 7. Trademarks, types of trademarks, grounds for refusal, peculiarities of pharma-trademarks.
Resources
Lecture Notes
A script is provided in electronic form during the lecture.
Literature
- Swiss Patents Act: https://www.admin.ch/opc/en/classified-compilation/19540108/index.html - Swiss Trademarks Act: https://www.admin.ch/opc/en/classified-compilation/19920213/index.html - Swiss Industrial-Designs Act: https://www.admin.ch/opc/en/classified-compilation/20000457/index.html - European Patent Convention: http://www.epo.org/law-practice/legal-texts/html/epc/2010/e/ma1.html - Patent Cooperation Treaty: http://www.wipo.int/pct/en/texts/articles/atoc.htm - Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property: https://www.ige.ch/en.html - European Patent Office: http://www.epo.org/index.html - World Intellectual Property Organization: http://www.wipo.int/portal/index.html.en
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- DR , MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture | Patents | No time listed | 1 h weekly |
Offered In
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Doctorate Mechanical and Process Engineering (More Information at: )
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