Patenting and Technology Transfer

Module of "Management of Innovation"
The course covers the main aspects of technological innovation management, as a process based on research
and development aiming at the introduction of new products, processes, technologies, services, particularly
from the industrial point of view. The topics specifically tackled in the course are detailed in the following.
Terminology and main definitions, basic research, applied research, development and relevant examples. Precompetitive
development and industrialization; incremental and radical innovation. Innovation as an integral
part of an industrial enterprise, the main involved functions (innovation chain). Motivating and creating
innovative ideas, approaches to stimulate creativity. Knowledge management: basic skills and "knowledge
system", organization and finalization of knowledge; Knowledge discovery, data mining; technological
monitoring. Evaluation of ideas, for example by filling checklist or by other means, project setup. Preparation
and evaluation of a business and technology plan, economic and financial analysis of a project. Project
management and project portfolio management by using, for example, the Stage and Gate® approach. Tools
for activities planning and control (e.g. Gantt diagram). R&D Organizations: brief overview. The committees
for innovation.

Module of "Patents"
The validity requirements of the patent. Product, process and use inventions. Structure of the patent
application. Patenting procedure. State of the art. Cross-references. Selection inventions. Overlapping ranges.
Dosage regimens. Supplementary certificates of protection. Nullity and forfeiture of the patent. The scope of
the exclusivity. The circulation of the patent. The defence of the patent. Patent enforcement. Strategy for
patenting. Licensing and assignments.


RECOMMENDED PREREQUISITES
Adequate knowledge of English language. No specific background knowledge of technical/scientific type is
required, given the "transversality" of the topics subject of the course.


REFERENCE MATERIAL
Module of "Management of Innovation"
- Slides shown at lesson and made available to students through the course website.
-Other suggested literature:
"Making Innovation Work: How to Manage It, Measure It, and Profit from It", Tony Davila, Marc Epstein, Robert
Shelton, 2006. Publishing as Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 - Available through Amazon
"Winning at New Products: Creating Value Through Innovation", Robert G. Cooper, ed. Basic Books, 2011
Module of "Patents"
- Slides shown at lesson and made available to students through the course website.


ASSESSMENT METHODS
The exam is based on a single written test, covering the topics dealt with in both modules of the course. The
test foresees 5 questions for each module (10 questions in total) that will aim to ascertain the level of learning
achieved by the students on the topics covered in class and that may possibly include the discussion of simple
practical-applications cases.


LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION
English


TEACHING METHODS
Lecture given by the teachers with possible discussions of some "case study", relevant for the subjects covered
by the course. Attendance is strongly recommended