About this course
What you’ll learn
This cutting edge course provides in depth instruction in one of the most dynamic and challenging areas of the law. Paralegals in this exciting area work on copyrights, patents, trademarks, unfair competition, protection of trade secrets, and much more. The knowledge gained in this course is not only applicable to full or part-time law office employment, but is also essential for authors and business owners who may be involved in entertainment and contract matters. This challenging specialty is in great demand.
Learning objectives
Participants will demonstrate the following skills through successful completion of all required coursework and assignments:
- Define the meaning of intellectual property
- Identify the types of intellectual property
- Name the agencies responsible for intellectual property
- Recognize the role of the paralegal in the area of intellectual property
- Identify the purpose and function of trademarks
- Name the four types of marks
- Discuss common law rights involved in trademarks
- List Federal regulations under the Lanham Act
- Explain laws and treaties that affect intellectual property
- Specify what material is excluded from trademark protection
- Describe the trademark registration process
- Identify the provisions of the 1976 Copyright Act
- Explain the purposes of copyright law
- Summarize the rights afforded by copyright law
- Discuss the copyright registration process
- Demonstrate the search process which is part of a copyright application
- Assess the new developments in copyright law
- Explain the Digital Millennium Copyright Act
- Define copyright protection for automated databases
- Demonstrate the copyright registration process
- Describe the Semiconductor Chip Protection Act of 1984
- Discuss the foundations of patent law
- Explain the rights afforded under patent law
- Define the three different types of patents
- Summarize the patent application process
- Identify patent infringement
- Determine the defenses to infringement charges
- Discuss the remedies for patent infringement
- Discuss patent ownership and transfer or assignment of patent rights
- Explain disputes over inventorship
- Define shop right and inventions made by employees
- Summarize licensing of patent rights
- Define what is meant by a trade secret
- Discuss liability for misappropriation of trade secrets
- Name the defenses to trade secret misappropriation charges
- Summarize the remedies available for trade secret misappropriation
- Describe trade secret protection and programs
Continuing Education Information
You will be expected to spend an average of 8 hours per week reading and completing writing assignments. Please note that extensions will not be granted for this online course. 70% is the minimum passing score on all tests and assignments for this course. Students may consider working ahead in the curriculum if they have the time. Coursework in Intellectual Property is equivalent to 45 clock hours of study.
Requirements & policies
Accommodations
The University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education is committed to providing equal access to continuing education programs for students living with permanent or temporary disabilities. Learn more about the program accommodations (Opens in a new window).
Prerequisites
Successful completion of Paralegal I and II, or equivalent experience.
Textbooks
Required textbooks for this course:
- Intellectual Property: The Law of Trademarks, Copyrights, Patents, and Trade Secrets, Most Recent Edition, Cengage by Deborah E. Bouchoux. Order Now Online
Highly Recommended Legal Resources:
- WESTLAW, legal research access, available for the duration of the course for only $89.
- Gilbert Pocket Size Law Dictionary, 3rd Edition. West Academic.
Organizations
Supporting associations
The Advanced Legal Research and Writing Certificate is offered by the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education in partnership with CLS by BARBRI.
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