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363-1208-00L 3 Credits MSC , NDS D-MTEC

Strategic Management of Intellectual Property

Lecturers & Examiners: Dr. Chang Liu, Prof. Beat Weibel, Dr. Maarten Eddy Y Cerpentier
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:07:52

Abstract

This course introduces central tools and strategies for managing intellectual property (IP) strategically. The course explains how IP can be leveraged to create and sustain competitive advantage, covering topics such as offensive and defensive patenting strategies, licensing, and patent portfolio management.

Objective

The Strategic Management of Intellectual Property course aims to impart relevant competencies in managing IP assets strategically, both for professional and academic development. Amongst others, participants will learn how to create strategies that enable them to maximize their IP-related competitive advantage, and how IP interacts with several aspects of firm innovation and business strategy. The course combines lectures on concepts and methods with case studies, academic paper discussions, and guest lectures, enabling students to apply theoretical insights to real-world challenges. Guest lectures will provide practical perspectives and examples from specific industries on IP management and discuss current trends.

Content

Session 1: Introduction and types of IP protection Session 2: IP strategy and valuation Session 3: Alternative use strategies and Guest lecture The Strategic Management of Intellectual Property course delivers a comprehensive learning experience by integrating lectures on fundamental concepts and IP tools with practical case studies and readings of academic papers. This approach allows participants to develop a deep understanding of the intersection between IP and firm innovation and strategy that is grounded in both academic and real-world business evidence. The course focuses on several strategic aspects that firms encounter when managing their IP. This involves an assessment of which knowledge created should be protected and why, how it should be protected against imitation, and once protected, how it can be leveraged to create competitive advantage, with the aim of improving a firm’s industry position and its performance. This is achieved through exploring topics such as different tools available to protect intellectual property, decisions on which technologies to protect or not, different strategic motives to leverage IP protection, and alternative pathways to create value out of protected IP assets, such as spin-offs, IP-backed financing, and out-licensing. To emphasize the relevance of Strategic Management of Intellectual Property in real-world situations, guest lectures from IP practitioners from selected industry cases will provide their insights into practice and challenges in managing IP. To succeed in this course, participants are expected to pre-read and understand selected journal articles that will be discussed in class. Further, they are expected to solve and present small group case studies in class. Active participation in paper discussions and group assignments is essential and will be graded.

General Information

Language
English
Levels
MSC , NDS
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
graded semester performance
25% group assignment (hands-in and presentations), 25% participation, and 50% final exam.

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture with exercise Strategic Management of Intellectual Property
Block course
No time listed 21 h semesterly

Offered In