INTERDISC STDS CS 120

University of California, Santa Barbara
College of Creative Studies

The Art of Invention:

An Introduction to Patents and Intellectual Property

Interdisciplinary Studies CS 120 – Fall 2009

Instructor: Dr. Ilan Ben-Yaacov

Announcements / Assignments

10/7/09: Prior to class on 10/14/09, look over Sample Patent Disclosure Form and read Inventorship Document. If you plan to take the course for 2 or more units, you should also look over some of the patents from SB companies and/or begin searching for a patent for your oral presentation.

10/7/09: Reminder that the Thursday section has been moved to Wednesdays 3:30-4:45pm in ESB 2213.

09/30/09: Make sure you have completely read the 2 documents in the previous announcement prior to the second lecture (10/7/09).

09/23/09: First class meets 9/30/09. Please read Glossary of Patent and IP-Related Terms and briefly look over the Final Publication of the Yoga Patent prior to the first lecture. Also please print these handouts and bring to every class.

09/23/09: Welcome to the course!

Syllabus – Course Details

Lecture: Wed 1:00-1:50pm in CCS Room 160B

Discussion: ~~Thurs 2:00-3:15pm~~ Wed 3:30-4:45pm in ESB room 2213

Grading/Units: P/NP grading option only, 1-4 units possible

Instructor: Dr. Ilan Ben-Yaacov, ESB room 2213, ext 5295, ilan@engineering.ucsb.edu

Office Hours: By appointment in ESB room 2213

Course Description

This course is designed to provide emerging inventors, entrepreneurs, and scientists with a working knowledge of intellectual property (patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets), with the main focus being on patents. We will cover the basic functions of patents (what rights a patent gives you), structure of patents (what elements must be included in a patent application), patent prosecution (process for getting a patent issued), and discuss patenting strategies for businesses, as well as several other topics.

The course may be taken as a 1-2 unit seminar course or a 3-4 unit course. Students taking the course for 1-2 units will attend the Wednesday lectures and will receive several reading assignments and perform one short presentation. For students taking the course for 3-4 units, in addition to the above requirements, there will be writing assignments as well as meetings with the instructor during the scheduled section time. The course is open to students of all majors.