Patents and trade marks, designs and utility models - these industrial property rights and copyright can be used to protect creative achievements. This makes these intangible goods exclusively available and tradable. The module begins with an introduction to intellectual property law. Trade mark law and unfair competition law (UWG) are particularly central to protection against plagiarism. The corresponding contract set-up for the licensing of innovations is discussed.

The legal consequences of infringing intellectual property rights (injunction, damages, information and destruction) as well as the instruments against product piracy are also dealt with. Non-disclosure agreements and international property rights (European Union trade mark, customs law, etc.) are also covered in the module. Basic legal knowledge is taught using practical cases and simulated with a court hearing.