Extension of the IP driver’s license with two new modules: Trade Secrets and Design

With the IP driving license, PROvendis GmbH, in cooperation with the Institute for Information, Telecommunications and Media Law (ITM) at the University of Münster, has been offering a nationwide unique e-learning offer for basic knowledge in the field of intellectual property rights free of charge since 2021.
Researchers, founders and company representatives can learn how to protect technical inventions, their own know-how or software in target group-specific courses and receive a certificate upon successful completion.
Two new modules are now available in addition to the established modules on patent law and copyright: Modules on the Trade Secrets Act (GeschGehG) and Design Law (DesignR) have been newly added.
This expansion now offers participants an even more comprehensive opportunity for further training in the field of intellectual property rights.
The Design Law module teaches how designs can be protected, which designs are eligible for protection and where the limits of design protection lie.
The course content includes the differentiation of design law in relation to other property rights, protection requirements and exclusions, rights arising from a design as well as design infringements and their enforcement.
The module on the Trade Secrets Act (GeschGehG) deals with the protection of trade secrets and the legal options in the event of infringements.
The learning content includes the distinction between the Trade Secrets Act and other intellectual property rights, the structure of the law, checking information for trade secret status, permitted actions and prohibitions as well as civil and criminal claims in the event of infringements. IP driver’s license raises awareness of IP rights in the innovation process A decisive success factor for the application of inventions in new products and processes is the protection of promising results from research and development under IP law.
IP rights enable universities, start-ups and established companies to position their innovations exclusively on the market and secure decisive competitive advantages.
“The IP driver’s license raises awareness of intellectual property at an early stage and is an important basis for start-ups from universities,” explains PROvendis Managing Director Dr. Heinrich Dornbusch.

University of Münster integrates IP driving license into university teaching The University of Münster is already successfully using the IP driving license in university teaching.
Students can earn credits for successfully completing the corresponding module as part of seminars.
The new modules now offer even more learning opportunities and increase the practical benefits of the IP driving license. Free educational offer thanks to NRW funding The IP driver’s license is funded by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia as part of the NRW Hochschul-IP network.
28 universities in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and PROvendis GmbH together form the NRW Hochschul-IP network.
The Intellectual Property (IP) network of NRW universities promotes the professional transfer of knowledge and technology to industry and society.
The network is funded by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
The funding body is the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy.
Interested parties can register for the IP driving license online at any time and work through the modules at their own pace.
The IP driving license offers a flexible and practical opportunity to deal intensively with the protection of intellectual property.