Innovations and intellectual property protection in agronomy (296629)
Course coordinator
Course description
The aim of this course is to introduce students to the fundamental concepts of innovation processes and intellectual property protection in agronomy.
The course provides an overview of the main forms of intellectual property (patents, utility models, trademarks, plant varieties and copyrights) and their role in protecting innovative solutions.
Special emphasis is placed on understanding the relationship between innovation, legal protection and practical application in agricultural systems, as well as on raising awareness of responsible management of research and development results.
Type of course
- Graduate studies / Environment, agriculture and resource management (Elective course, 4 semester, 2 year)
ECTS: 3.00
Teaching hours: 30
Lectures: 20
Practicum: 8
Seminar: 2
Lecturer
Associate teacher for exercises
Associate teacher for seminars
Grading
Sufficient (2): 60–70%
Good (3): 71–80%
Very good (4): 81–90%
Excellent (5): 91–100%
Description
It will be conducted based on student activity and engagement during classes and exercises, with a share of 5% in the total grade. The choice of topic, preparation and presentation of the seminar will be evaluated with 20% in the total grade. The success achieved in the final oral exam will have a share of 75% in the total grade.
Types of instruction
- Lectures
- Assessments
- Other forms of group or individual learning
- Seminars
- Design exercises
Learning outcomes
| Learning outcome | Evaluation methods |
|---|---|
| 1. Explain the basic concepts of innovation and intellectual property protection in agronomy and environmental sciences. 2. Apply the principles of intellectual property protection to simple examples of innovations in agronomy. 3. Use patent databases to retrieve and interpret relevant information for innovation analysis. 4. Analyse different types of innovations and their suitability for specific forms of intellectual property protection. 5. Evaluate the advantages and limitations of different intellectual property protection mechanisms for specific innovations. 6. Design an appropriate intellectual property protection strategy for a given innovative solution in agronomy. |
Working methods
Students' obligations
Regular class attendance, exercise and seminar presentation.
Weekly class schedule
- Introduction to innovation - Concept and role of innovation in agronomy and environmental sciences; types of innovation and their importance for sustainable agricultural development and resource management.
- Innovations in agronomy and environmental - Innovation systems, drivers and examples in agriculture and environment; role of research, industry and policy in developing and applying innovations.
- Innovations in agronomy and environmental - Innovation systems, drivers and examples in agriculture and environment; role of research, industry and policy in developing and applying innovations.
- Forms of intellectual property - Overview of patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets; basic principles and application in protecting innovations in agronomy.
- Forms of intellectual property - Overview of patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets; basic principles and application in protecting innovations in agronomy.
- Patent system of the European Union - Patentability criteria, application procedure and structure of patent documentation; role of patents in protecting technical innovations.
- Utility model and industrial design - Protection of technical solutions and product design; comparison with patents and practical applications in agricultural technologies.
- Trademarks and geographical indications - Brand protection and product identity; role of trademarks and geographical indications in agricultural products.
- Protection of innovations in projects and cooperation with the economy - Ownership of research results, intellectual property in projects and collaboration with stakeholders; responsible management of innovations.
- Protection of innovations in projects and cooperation with the economy - Ownership of research results, intellectual property in projects and collaboration with stakeholders; responsible management of innovations.
- Patent bases:practical workshop - Search and analysis of patents using patent databases; interpretation of patent documents and use of databases for research and innovation.
- Patent bases:practical workshop - Search and analysis of patents using patent databases; interpretation of patent documents and use of databases for research and innovation.
- Creation of a proposal for innovation protection - Development of a protection strategy for a selected innovation; selection and justification of appropriate intellectual property form.
- Creation of a proposal for innovation protection - Development of a protection strategy for a selected innovation; selection and justification of appropriate intellectual property form.
- Presentation of work - Presentation and discussion of proposed protection strategies; development of communication and argumentation skills.
Obligatory literature
- World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO): Understanding Intellectual Property - https://www.wipo.int/edocs/pubdocs/en/wipo_pub_895_2016.pdf
- European Patent Office (EPO): Patent Guide - https://link.epo.org/web/legal/guide-epc/en-how-to-get-a-european-patent-2023.pdf
- Zakon o patentu (RH) - https://www.zakon.hr/z/121/zakon-o-patentu#google_vignette
- Internal script
Recommended literature
- OECD: Innovation, Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/reports/2019/10/innovation-productivity-and-sustainability-in-food-and-agriculture_81e0c513/c9c4ec1d-en.pdf Cornish, W., Llewelyn, D., & Aplin, T. (2019). Intellectual Property: Patents, Copyright, Trade Marks and Allied Rights. Directive 98/44/EC on the legal protection of biotechnological inventions.