Learning Outcomes

Within the framework of the course, students will be able to:

• To demonstrate critical understanding of the relationships between intellectual property law and digital technologies
• To acquire enhanced knowledge and insight into specialized areas of intellectual property law
• To comprehend contemporary legal issues arising from the widespread use of information technology and communications
• To gain specialized knowledge required for a professional activity focused on innovation and intellectual property
• To possess the ability to communicate orally and in writing, engaging in sophisticated argumentation in the field of intellectual property law in a comprehensive manner
• To have the ability to gather, interpret, and apply legislation, case law, and literature to solve complex issues in specialized areas of intellectual property law
• To possess advanced, state-of-the-art specialized scientific knowledge in the subjects of the course, serving as a foundation for original thinking and research activities

Syllabus

• Introduction to intellectual property law and new technologies (introductory presentation of copyright law, trademark law, patent law).
• Intellectual property law: Object of protection – criteria of human intellectual effort and originality. Presentation of case law from Greece and Europe.
• Intellectual property law: Object of protection – the concept of work and specialization by categories, with emphasis on software and databases. Presentation of case law from Greece and Europe.
• Intellectual property law: Subject of protection – analysis of cases of dependent creator, creator of software. Presentation of case law from Greece and Europe.
• Intellectual property law: Content of protection – presentation of moral rights and correlation with new technologies.
• Intellectual property law: Content of protection – presentation of proprietary rights and correlation with new technologies.
• Intellectual property law – Limitations/exceptions of proprietary rights – presentation of standardized open access licenses (Creative Commons).
• Introduction to the philosophy of open-source software, presentation of major open-source licenses (GPL, EUPL), and discussion of legal challenges.
• Discussion on digital accessibility to creative material in the era of artificial intelligence and the metaverse.
• Trademark law in the digital era – NFTs, virtual goods/services.
• Patent law and new technologies.
• Presentation of special topics related to emerging technologies (e.g., Metaverse & Intellectual Property issues).
• Presentation of special topics related to emerging technologies (e.g., Artificial Intelligence & Intellectual Property Issues).

Recommended Readings

• Ghidini, G. – Falce, V. (2022) Reforming Intellectual Property, Edward Elgar Publishing