Module and Course List

The course will provide an introduction to and overview of the different legal protective system for intellectual property rights, outlining the main characteristics and differences.

The "Economic Analysis of Law" has become an important intellectual tool in many fields of law, among them Intellectual Property Law. This course intends to familiarize students with some basic concepts and vocabulary of microeconomics; special emphasis will be put on the different cost curves and the economic analysis of monopoly. Both are very relevant for intellectual property rights. The participation in this course should enable students to get more out of subsequent courses that employ a "Law & Economics" approach.

The course provides an introduction to competition law, outlining the basic ideas, main legal instruments and possible interfaces with IP law.

This course introduces the legal structure of the EU and the EEA, including the legal constitution and tasks of main EU institutions; impact of principles set out in the TEU and TFEU (such as the subsidiary principle, non discrimination and the "four freedoms," in particular free movement of goods and services); instruments for harmonization and their legal foundation in the European Treaties.

This introductory course encompasses a range of topics, including a brief historical overview of the United States, an exploration of the foundational framework of the US government and its constitution, an examination of the US judicial system, and guidance on American legal reasoning and analysis. Together, these components provide students with an understanding of US law and governance, equipping them with valuable knowledge and skills for the rest of the LL.M. program.

This course offers a comprehensive exploration of patent matters. It covers international patent treaties, patent application essentials, criteria for patentability, exceptions, priority, novelty, and inventive step. The course also addresses industrial application, disclosure sufficiency, patent rights, infringement, nullity, claims interpretation, and protection scope. Students delve into patent litigation procedures, including infringement and invalidity, and gain insight into the European Patent Convention's granting process, opposition, and appeals. This course provides a thorough understanding of patent law's multifaceted aspects and practical implications.

This course delves into several key aspects of U.S. Patent Law, including the substantive prerequisites for patent grant in the USA, encompassing utility, novelty, and non-obviousness. It also explores the intricacies of patent specification and the critical domain of patent infringement. The primary objectives of this course are to foster a profound comprehension of U.S. Patent Law and to engage in discussions concerning emerging trends within American patent practices.

This course encompasses a comprehensive exploration of copyright law in Europe, aiming to achieve several key objectives. Firstly, it elucidates the challenges and experiences related to harmonization amidst preexisting national laws. Additionally, it engages in discussions surrounding the interpretation of certain aspects of Directives by the European Court and the national implementation of European directives on copyright issues. Furthermore, it offers a comparative analysis of European copyright solutions against those adopted in the USA. Lastly, it initiates a discourse on the contemporary challenges that modern society presents to copyright law.

This course offers a comprehensive examination of various facets within the realm of copyright law. It begins by scrutinizing the prerequisites for copyright protection, which encompass fixation, originality, and former requirements. The curriculum also delves into fundamental exceptions to copyright protections and explores the intricate analysis of substantial similarity and infringement. Moreover, it presents the concept of fair use and addresses the initial ownership of copyright. The course introduces rules governing copyright transactions, covers rights related to reproduction, distribution, and derivative works, and discusses public performance and display rights. Finally, it provides insights into enforcement and protection strategies within the domain of copyright law.

This course provides an overview of the acquisition, scope of protection and enforcement of rights in EU trademark law. It offers a detailed analysis of the Community Trade Mark system, harmonized national law in EU Member States, CJEU jurisprudence and OHIM practice.

This course covers the basic topics of US trademark law: purpose and nature of trademark rights under U.S. law; distinctiveness of word marks; protection of non-word marks; the concept of use and registration proceedings; acts amounting to infringement; actionable confusion; dilution and defenses.

Concept of unfair competition and relation to IP; basic features of selected European unfair competition regimes; EU directives concerning unfair competition, especially misleading and aggressive business practices; ECJ jurisprudence.

This course provides a comprehensive exploration of antitrust economics and laws. It commences with an overview of Antitrust Economics and then delves into U.S. Antitrust Law, covering topics such as agreements in restraint of trade, monopolization, mergers, price discrimination, antitrust enforcement, and various jurisdictional, public policy, and regulatory limitations. Additionally, it delves into European Competition Law, discussing key aspects like Articles 101 and 102 of the TFEU, exceptions to Article 101(1) TFEU, the EC Mergers Regulation, and Regulation 1/2003. This course offers a thorough understanding of antitrust principles in both the U.S. and European contexts.

This course delves into the intricate relationship between Innovation and Competition, covering various critical aspects. Firstly, it explores the fundamental connection between intellectual property rights (IPRs) exclusivity and competition. Secondly, it analyzes the impact of restrictive agreements on intellectual property, including licensing agreements, technology pooling for licensing, and the role of standard-setting organizations. Thirdly, it addresses the control of market dominance, including issues like refusal to license IPRs, standard-essential patents, tying arrangements involving IPRs, and abusive practices such as patent filing and pay-for-delay settlements. Lastly, the course delves into copyright-related topics, particularly in the context of film distribution and collective rights management. While primarily focusing on EU and U.S. law, it also considers noteworthy cases from other jurisdictions, including Asia, where relevant.

This course offers a comprehensive exploration of the data economy, covering a range of critical topics. It begins by introducing fundamental concepts and basics of the data economy. It then delves into various types of data and their pertinent applications in the realm of 'big data.' The course also addresses regulatory objectives such as the free flow of data, data access and transfer, data quality, portability, interoperability, and standards. Legal protection of data is a central theme, encompassing the European Database Directive 96/9/EC, the Trade Secret Directive 2016/943, and other pertinent legal instruments such as contracts. Ultimately, the course aims to explore potential paths forward in the evolving landscape of the data economy.

This course provides a comprehensive examination of data protection, focusing on several pivotal aspects. It commences with an exploration of EU data protection reform, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the E-Privacy Directive & Regulation. The course delves into the theoretical foundations and justifications behind data protection measures. Moreover, it examines pertinent case law. This comprehensive approach offers a deep understanding of data protection in a global context.

This course offers a comprehensive exploration of the dynamic relationship between Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Patent Law. It delves into various crucial aspects, including AI's evolving role in patent examination, the intricate legal and ethical questions surrounding AI as an inventor, the practical use of AI in patent searches and drafting, ethical considerations, legal challenges, and an examination of the potential transformative influence of AI on patent law and the broader intellectual property landscape.

This course covers the following topics: (i) patent licensing in the business context; (ii) patent Licenses v. know-how "licenses"; (iii) license agreement – basic content; (iv) pitfalls in licensing projects; (v) antitrust issues (TTBER). A simulation on licensing negotiations is part of this course.

This course offers a comprehensive examination of the intersection between Patents and Public Health, encompassing a range of vital topics. It begins with an introduction to Patents and Public Health and proceeds to explore the implications of patent systems. Additionally, it delves into issues related to access to medicines and patent barriers, examining regulatory frameworks in the pharmaceutical industry. International agreements and their impact on public health are also considered, alongside discussions on innovation, research, and patents. Through case studies, the course provides insights into patent disputes, and it concludes by addressing the ethical dimensions inherent in the intersection of patents and public health.

This course delves into the impact of AI on copyright systems. It navigates the challenges of harmonizing AI-related copyright laws across diverse national frameworks, interprets European copyright directives in the AI context, evaluates national implementations, compares global AI copyright solutions, and anticipates challenges posed by contemporary AI technologies to copyright law, such as AI-generated content and automated content filtering.

This course offers a comprehensive examination of Geographical Indications (GIs), covering a range of vital topics. It begins by considering the principal international treaties in this area and then delves into the various national legal regimes used for GI protection, with a detailed exploration of the history of French wine appellation protection. The course also addresses current controversies surrounding GIs and examines the future prospects for resolving these disputes. Its objectives encompass describing the existing legal frameworks governing the use of regional names and when others can be prevented from using them, exploring the historical evolution of these laws, and engaging in debates regarding proposed solutions to contentious issues in international GI protection.

This course encompasses several key aspects of international intellectual property (IP) rules and regulations. It begins by exploring the historical context, rationale, and traditional institutional framework of international IP rules. It then delves into the incorporation of IP into the World Trade Organization (WTO), covering treaty interpretation, dispute settlement, and compliance within WTO law. The course also addresses the fundamental international principles and substantive rules governing the protection of patents, trademarks, and copyright, along with the enforcement of IP rights. Additionally, it considers emerging issues such as the inclusion of IP provisions in Free Trade and Investment Agreements, the WIPO Development Agenda, and the protection of Traditional Knowledge.

Numerous and diverse as they are, trade secrets share one common feature – they all cover information which is actively kept from becoming generally accessible. The course will clarify the nature of trade secret rights as compared to intellectual property rights and will provide a comparative analysis of trade secret protection in both continental and common law systems. The course will address statutory as well as a (pre-)contractual trade secret protection, including but not limited to employer-employee or licensor-licensee relationship. In addition, the role of trade secrets in R&D co-operations and the impact which trade secrets may have on technology transfer will be discussed. (Examination)

This course commences with an introduction to Bioscience Law and Policy and then establishes the legal foundations within this domain. Ethical considerations are examined in the context of Bioscience Policy, followed by an exploration of international agreements pertaining to Bioscience. The course also delves into Intellectual Property in Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Genetic Engineering Regulations, as well as emerging Bioscience Technologies. Additionally, the course explores the intricacies of policy development and advocacy in this field, equipping participants with a well-rounded understanding of Bioscience Law and Policy.

This course addresses several critical aspects of intellectual property (IP) protection, primarily focusing on its relationship with environmental protection and sustainable development. It explores the utilitarian conception of IP as an incentive for innovative technology development and its link to environmental protection. Additionally, the course addresses the protection of biological diversity, food security, genetic resources, and traditional knowledge in the context of international IP protection, particularly patents and plant variety rights. It also examines the role of innovation, intellectual property, and protected technologies in addressing global challenges such as the climate crisis. The course's objectives include introducing students to research topic selection, research paper preparation, and presentation skills, aligning with LL.M. thesis standards. It aims to broaden students' perspectives on the intersection of IP protection, sustainable development, and environmental preservation, encompassing climate change and biodiversity. Moreover, the course fosters problem-oriented thinking and analysis, enabling students to navigate complex legal scenarios at the domestic, regional, and international levels.

Intellectual property has long generated a pitched debate among economists concerning both whether it is economically sensible for society to recognize any intellectual property rights and, assuming such rights should be recognized, what the optimal scope of such rights should be. This course gives an introduction to that long-running debate and to its legal implications for the structure of intellectual property rights.

This course explores complex issues in the virtual environment, including challenges related to geography and sovereignty. It also examines the case of domain names and the crucial role of online intermediaries. Intermediary liability for copyright infringement is a key focus, as well as the profound impact of technology on legal rules. The course aims to clarify the distinct challenges posed by the virtual environment and stimulate discussions on the rationale behind specific cases in this context.

This course provides an in-depth exploration of the intersection between Digital Markets and Competition Law, encompassing a comprehensive range of essential topics. It commences with an introduction to Digital Markets and Competition Law, setting the stage for understanding their dynamics. It then delves into the intricacies of market concentration analysis in digital sectors and the unique challenges posed by market power related to data and platform dominance. The course addresses complex competition issues specific to digital markets and evaluates the effectiveness of competition law enforcement in this context. Furthermore, it explores regulatory approaches to promote competition within digital markets and offers global perspectives on competition law's role in this digital landscape. Upon completion, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of digital market dynamics and competition law principles, equipping them to navigate this evolving landscape effectively.

This course provides a comprehensive exploration of the Platform Economy and Regulation, addressing key topics. It begins with an introduction to the platform economy and its regulation, followed by a foundation in regulatory principles and governance structures. The course then examines various platform business models and their regulatory implications, including market concentration and data privacy. It also delves into user protection, content moderation, labor laws, and emerging regulatory trends. Through practical exercises and case studies, participants will apply regulatory principles to real-world platform economy scenarios. Upon completion, participants will have a deep understanding of this dynamic field and its regulatory landscape.

This course encompasses two main components: Firstly, a comparative examination of competition law and policy from India, China, South Africa, and select developing jurisdictions. Secondly, it explores international aspects from the perspective of emerging economies, covering topics such as extraterritoriality, conflicts, convergence, and discussions on a global competition regime.

This course covers a comprehensive range of topics related to international data transfers and data privacy laws. It begins with an introduction to International Data Transfer Laws and then explores Data Privacy Regulations worldwide. Legal compliance and data protection laws are examined, along with data transfer mechanisms and legal instruments. The course also focuses on Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) in international transfers, addressing challenges and legal complexities in cross-border data transfers. It emphasizes the importance of cross-border data flows and legal compliance, considering ethical and legal aspects, and concludes by guiding participants in developing comprehensive data transfer strategies.

This course explores complex issues in the virtual environment, including challenges related to geography and sovereignty. It also examines the case of domain names and the crucial role of online intermediaries. Intermediary liability for copyright infringement is a key focus, as well as the profound impact of technology on legal rules. The course aims to clarify the distinct challenges posed by the virtual environment and stimulate discussions on the rationale behind specific cases in this context.

This course introduces the area of Digital Health Regulation, concentrating on the legal and regulatory dimensions of digital health technologies. It encompasses a range of critical topics, commencing with an overview of digital health regulations. The course explores the regulation of medical devices and software, emphasizing data privacy and security within healthcare. It also addresses telemedicine and its associated regulatory considerations, along with the imperative aspect of healthcare data interoperability. Ethical and legal matters in the context of digital health are thoroughly examined, and the course offers insights into global perspectives on digital health regulation. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the legal and regulatory landscape in the realm of digital health.

This course offers a comprehensive exploration of the dynamic relationship between Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Patent Law. It delves into various crucial aspects, including AI's evolving role in patent examination, the intricate legal and ethical questions surrounding AI as an inventor, the practical use of AI in patent searches and drafting, ethical considerations, legal challenges, and an examination of the potential transformative influence of AI on patent law and the broader intellectual property landscape.

This course delves into the impact of AI on copyright systems. It navigates the challenges of harmonizing AI-related copyright laws across diverse national frameworks, interprets European copyright directives in the AI context, evaluates national implementations, compares global AI copyright solutions, and anticipates challenges posed by contemporary AI technologies to copyright law, such as AI-generated content and automated content filtering.

This course explores complex issues in the virtual environment, including challenges related to geography and sovereignty. It also examines the case of domain names and the crucial role of online intermediaries. Intermediary liability for copyright infringement is a key focus, as well as the profound impact of technology on legal rules. The course aims to clarify the distinct challenges posed by the virtual environment and stimulate discussions on the rationale behind specific cases in this context.

This course offers a comprehensive exploration of AI Law and Policy, addressing key topics such as the legal and ethical implications of AI, evolving regulatory frameworks, governance models, intellectual property considerations, ethical AI development, and regulations related to AI-powered autonomous systems. Upon successful completion, students will possess a well-rounded understanding of AI's fundamental concepts, legal intricacies, and ethical dimensions, enabling them to navigate the complex landscape of AI Law and Policy effectively.

This course introduces the area of Digital Health Regulation, concentrating on the legal and regulatory dimensions of digital health technologies. It encompasses a range of critical topics, commencing with an overview of digital health regulations. The course explores the regulation of medical devices and software, emphasizing data privacy and security within healthcare. It also addresses telemedicine and its associated regulatory considerations, along with the imperative aspect of healthcare data interoperability. Ethical and legal matters in the context of digital health are thoroughly examined, and the course offers insights into global perspectives on digital health regulation. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the legal and regulatory landscape in the realm of digital health.

This Colloquium provides an in-depth exploration of Digital Technology Regulation, a dynamic field at the intersection of law and technology. Participants will engage in rigorous discussions centered around a carefully curated set of reading assignments. These readings span foundational works that established the legal frameworks for digital technology, as well as cutting-edge research papers that tackle the latest challenges in this rapidly evolving landscape. Through these readings, participants will delve into topics like data privacy, online platform regulation, intellectual property in the digital age, and the ethical implications of emerging technologies. By examining both historical and contemporary texts, this Colloquium offers a comprehensive understanding of the complex regulatory issues shaping the digital technology ecosystem.

This course covers the following topics: (i) patent licensing in the business context; (ii) patent Licenses v. know-how "licenses"; (iii) license agreement – basic content; (iv) pitfalls in licensing projects; (v) antitrust issues (TTBER). A simulation on licensing negotiations is part of this course.

Intellectual property has long generated a pitched debate among economists concerning both whether it is economically sensible for society to recognize any intellectual property rights and, assuming such rights should be recognized, what the optimal scope of such rights should be. This course gives an introduction to that long-running debate and to its legal implications for the structure of intellectual property rights.

The course covers both the economic and managerial aspects of innovation. Students will get in-depth understanding of key aspects of innovation processes and their institutional and strategic implications. The aim of the course is to enable students to develop suggestions for new innovation strategies and their implementation.

This course provides a comprehensive exploration of Life Science Management, addressing essential topics within the field. It commences with an introduction to the life science sector, followed by an examination of diverse business models within life sciences. The course also delves into strategic planning and decision-making, regulatory and compliance management, and the crucial role of intellectual property in fostering innovation. Additionally, it explores marketing and commercialization strategies, as well as effective project management within the life science domain. This well-rounded curriculum equips participants with valuable insights and skills for success in Life Science Management.

This Colloquium offers a deep exploration of Innovation and Technology Management, a critical domain in today's rapidly evolving business landscape. Participants will engage in in-depth discussions informed by a thoughtfully curated set of reading assignments. These readings encompass both foundational works that have shaped the field of innovation management and cutting-edge research papers that explore the latest trends and challenges. Topics covered include innovation strategies, technology adoption, intellectual property management, and innovation in the digital era. By examining a range of texts, participants will gain a holistic understanding of the principles, strategies, and best practices in innovation and technology management. This Colloquium equips participants with valuable insights for effective innovation leadership in a technology-driven world.

This course offers a comprehensive examination of the intersection between Patents and Public Health, encompassing a range of vital topics. It begins with an introduction to Patents and Public Health and proceeds to explore the implications of patent systems. Additionally, it delves into issues related to access to medicines and patent barriers, examining regulatory frameworks in the pharmaceutical industry. International agreements and their impact on public health are also considered, alongside discussions on innovation, research, and patents. Through case studies, the course provides insights into patent disputes, and it concludes by addressing the ethical dimensions inherent in the intersection of patents and public health.

This course commences with an introduction to Bioscience Law and Policy and then establishes the legal foundations within this domain. Ethical considerations are examined in the context of Bioscience Policy, followed by an exploration of international agreements pertaining to Bioscience. The course also delves into Intellectual Property in Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Genetic Engineering Regulations, as well as emerging Bioscience Technologies. Additionally, the course explores the intricacies of policy development and advocacy in this field, equipping participants with a well-rounded understanding of Bioscience Law and Policy.

This course addresses several critical aspects of intellectual property (IP) protection, primarily focusing on its relationship with environmental protection and sustainable development. It explores the utilitarian conception of IP as an incentive for innovative technology development and its link to environmental protection. Additionally, the course addresses the protection of biological diversity, food security, genetic resources, and traditional knowledge in the context of international IP protection, particularly patents and plant variety rights. It also examines the role of innovation, intellectual property, and protected technologies in addressing global challenges such as the climate crisis. The course's objectives include introducing students to research topic selection, research paper preparation, and presentation skills, aligning with LL.M. thesis standards. It aims to broaden students' perspectives on the intersection of IP protection, sustainable development, and environmental preservation, encompassing climate change and biodiversity. Moreover, the course fosters problem-oriented thinking and analysis, enabling students to navigate complex legal scenarios at the domestic, regional, and international levels.

In this Colloquium, participants will embark on a deep dive into the Regulation of the Life Sciences, a critical field that bridges law, ethics, and science. The Colloquium is structured around a selection of thought-provoking reading assignments, encompassing foundational works that laid the groundwork for life sciences regulation and cutting-edge research papers that address contemporary challenges. These readings cover diverse aspects, from biotechnology regulations to ethical considerations in genetic research. Through rigorous discussions, participants will explore the evolution of life sciences regulation, ethical dilemmas in research, and the interface between scientific advancements and legal frameworks. This Colloquium equips participants with the knowledge and insights needed to navigate the complex world of life sciences regulation.

This course provides a comprehensive exploration of Life Science Management, addressing essential topics within the field. It commences with an introduction to the life science sector, followed by an examination of diverse business models within life sciences. The course also delves into strategic planning and decision-making, regulatory and compliance management, and the crucial role of intellectual property in fostering innovation. Additionally, it explores marketing and commercialization strategies, as well as effective project management within the life science domain. This well-rounded curriculum equips participants with valuable insights and skills for success in Life Science Management.

This course introduces the area of Digital Health Regulation, concentrating on the legal and regulatory dimensions of digital health technologies. It encompasses a range of critical topics, commencing with an overview of digital health regulations. The course explores the regulation of medical devices and software, emphasizing data privacy and security within healthcare. It also addresses telemedicine and its associated regulatory considerations, along with the imperative aspect of healthcare data interoperability. Ethical and legal matters in the context of digital health are thoroughly examined, and the course offers insights into global perspectives on digital health regulation. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the legal and regulatory landscape in the realm of digital health.