Intellectual property (IP) law shapes the way we innovate, create, and share ideas in today鈥檚 world. From the brands we buy, to the technology we use, to the music and art we love, IP law sets the rules of protection and use鈥攁nd those rules are constantly being tested and redefined.



Skills you'll gain
Details to know

Add to your LinkedIn profile
September 2025
1 assignment
See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

There are 4 modules in this course
In this opening module, you'll explore why intellectual property (IP) matters so deeply to innovation, creativity, and business success. You'll gain a foundational understanding of the U.S. IP system, why it exists, what it protects, and how it balances creators' rights with the public鈥檚 interest in expression and access. We鈥檒l then turn to trademarks, the most intuitive IP tool for businesses. Through engaging Supreme Court cases involving scandalous trademarks, parodies, and political speech, we鈥檒l investigate how trademark law collides鈥攁nd coexists鈥攚ith the First Amendment. From rock bands to dog toys to political jabs, you鈥檒l see how modern debates test the edges of both trademark protection and free speech in unexpected and entertaining ways.
What's included
6 videos
This module explores one of the most high-stakes and complex arenas in intellectual property today: standard essential patents (SEPs). We鈥檒l begin with an overview of U.S. patent law and the unique licensing obligations SEP owners take on when their technology becomes part of an industry standard. Then we鈥檒l dive deep into the landmark dispute between Microsoft and Motorola, a case that fundamentally reshaped how both courts and companies approach global patent licensing. Along the way, we鈥檒l examine hotly debated topics like fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms, injunctions, and international rate-setting. With digital technologies growing more interconnected every day, this case study serves as a powerful lens through which to understand the legal, economic, and geopolitical pressures shaping innovation today.
What's included
5 videos
In this module, we explore how copyright law protects creative expression and how the boundaries of that protection are tested by artists, technologists, and courts alike. You will learn how copyright applies to music, including the dual rights in compositions and sound recordings, and why high-profile disputes involving Taylor Swift, Rick Astley, Pharrell Williams, and Ed Sheeran have captured public attention and sparked legal debate. We will examine how fair use functions as a defense to infringement, with a focus on landmark music and visual art cases, including the Supreme Court's ruling in Warhol v. Goldsmith. Finally, we will consider how copyright is evolving in response to new technologies like AI, and how these tensions reflect the broader challenge of balancing artistic protection with the freedom to build upon the past.
What's included
4 videos
In this final module, we turn to trade secrets, the often overlooked but increasingly essential tool in the intellectual property toolkit. You will learn how trade secrets protect valuable commercial information, from proprietary algorithms to customer data, and how the law has evolved to recognize and enforce those protections. Through the story of a high-profile theft involving Google and Uber, we will examine how misappropriation occurs and what companies can do to prevent it. We will then explore the role of contracts, especially noncompete agreements, in trade secret protection and the ongoing legal battle surrounding their enforceability. As regulatory and technological landscapes shift, this module will help you understand how companies can safeguard confidential information while respecting individual rights and fostering innovation.
What's included
5 videos1 assignment
Instructor

Offered by
Why people choose 糖心vlog官网观看 for their career





Open new doors with 糖心vlog官网观看 Plus
Unlimited access to 10,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription
Advance your career with an online degree
Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online
Join over 3,400 global companies that choose 糖心vlog官网观看 for Business
Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy
Frequently asked questions
To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
You will be eligible for a full refund until two weeks after your payment date, or (for courses that have just launched) until two weeks after the first session of the course begins, whichever is later. You cannot receive a refund once you鈥檝e earned a Course Certificate, even if you complete the course within the two-week refund period. See our full refund policy.
More questions
Financial aid available,