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An International Internship Program in Intellectual Property Rights (IPR): Technology Transfer, Use and Management

Course Dates: July 11-16, 2010 Organized by: Michigan State University Institute of International Agriculture, World Technology Access (WorldTAP) Program and the College of Law	Brochure (.pdf) Registration Form (.doc) Application Deadline Registration Fee Course Fee Contact Information
Internship Rationale The global community will need to adjust policies in regard to Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), to comply with recent changes with the adoption of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)/World Trade Organization (WTO). The Uruguay Round's Trade-related Intellectual Property Agreement (TRIPS) sets a worldwide minimum standard for intellectual property law. These changes, because of GATT/WTO, relax trade barriers within the global community while protecting the rights of importing and exporting parties. National laws may have to be changed or modified to implement GATT. Although implementing these changes represents a significant challenge in the short term, individual nations should be encouraged by the promise of GATT/WTO to create and expand business opportunities at home. To efficiently implement GATT, at least two types of knowledge must be in place. One is understanding of the meaning of the Uruguay Round and the different forms of implementation. In order to meet the new standards of GATT/WTO, public and private sector communities will need to know what intellectual properties are, and how to use and manage them. GATT/WTO presents sound solutions to trade barriers but poses a challenge. The continuing evolution of intellectual property law presents a complex issue for many with interests in trade, patents and copyrights. As such, there is a need for an improvement and dissemination of the knowledge base. A substantial educational program can assist the global community in understanding these issues surrounding intellectual property. The second type of knowledge is an awareness of the context within which an intellectual property system must operate to be effective. There must be more than a patent office and patent courts if the new legislation is to be effective. Among scientists there must be an awareness of means to protect an invention. Research administrators must be cognizant of the steps to ensure that inventions within the organization are patentable, and of the methods to license those inventions to profit-making enterprises. Government officials, for their part, must be equipped to ensure that inventions can be fairly and justly commercialized. Finally, private sector parties should know how to bring advanced technology from a basic concept to commercial product. An appropriate and substantial educational program can assist in building these kinds of knowledge. Such a program should include training to enhance and augment the skills of the scientific community, legal personnel, administrators, entrepreneurs and policy makers in these issues. Internship Description To address this need, Michigan State University (MSU) will conduct a one-week internship program in IPR with focus on technology transfer, use and management within the context of GATT/WTO. MSU is recognized as a center of excellence in international development. MSU has a wealth of experience in human resource development and institutional building in IPR, technology use, transfer and management. The internship program will be conducted at MSU by the Institute of International Agriculture, other U.S. Universities, federal agencies, legal experts, private companies, and associations. This program provides hands-on training in the day-to-day handling of IPR issues in several settings including university, business and legal environments. Fundamentals of Intellectual Property (IP) Basics of intellectual property: What is IP; copyrights; trademarks; trade secrets; patents; plant variety protection/plant breeder's' rights Intellectual property policy, institutional policies; national policies Marketing of intellectual property licensing; public distribution; sales Management of intellectual property uses; follow through; long-term relationship building Patenting and Patent Laws Licensing Setting up of a Technology Use and Management Program Visits to the Intellectual Property Offices of selected universities, private companies, and private patent attorneys Priority setting, resource allocation, and team building. Our training group has a diverse background in various aspects of intellectual property rights, technology transfer, use and management. Members of this group have participated in and conducted a number of intellectual property rights training programs and workshops in international settings. Application deadline: June 15, 2010 Registration Fee: $250 (Non-Refundable) *Course Fee :** $3,000 Course Fee includes instruction fee, information packages, local travel, meals and Lodging. (* Course Fee non-refundable after June 30, 2010) Please make checks payable to Michigan State University. For more information contact: Dr. Callista Ransom Institute of International Agriculture 418 Plant and Soil Sciences Building Michigan State University East Lansing, MI 48824, U.S.A. Phone: (517) 355-5191 Ext. 1405 Fax: (517) 432-1982 Email: ransomca@msu.edu or Dr. K. M. Maredia Institute of International Agriculture 416 Plant and Soil Sciences Building Michigan State University East Lansing, MI 48824, U.S.A. Phone: (517) 353-5262 Fax: (517) 432-1982 Email: kmaredia@msu.edu MSU is an affirmative-action, equal opportunity institution.