Innovation Law and Intellectual Property
The Innovation Law and Intellectual Property track prepares legal experts to advise companies, organizations and public administrations involved in the development, promotion and valorization of innovation projects, as well as in the transfer of knowledge and technology. This program is distinguished by its interdisciplinary approach, combining expertise in intellectual property, innovation management and the sociology of innovation, while also addressing crucial aspects such as taxation, social dynamics and labor relations. This track offers the possibility of completing the attorney internship and provides two pathways to the Master of Law in Innovation and Intellectual Property.
Open to anyone holding a Bachelor’s degree in Law or any other qualification deemed equivalent.
The Innovation Law and Intellectual Property track of the Master in Innovation grants access to the bar exam under the same conditions as any other Master of Law. Students also acquire methodological tools and the foundations necessary for an interdisciplinary understanding of the contemporary challenges of innovation.
Able to understand innovation processes in relation to current and future challenges for the economy and society, graduates will be able to apply their skills within or for companies, organizations or public administrations responsible for implementing, promoting, stimulating or supporting innovation processes in various forms, at different operational levels and at different stages of development.
In addition, it offers the possibility of completing the attorney internship and provides two pathways to the Master of Law in Innovation and Intellectual Property.
Students holding a Bachelor of Law enroll in the Master of Law in Innovation and Intellectual Property within the Faculty of Law and follow the “Innovation Law and Intellectual Property” track, leading to the award of a Master of Law in Innovation and Intellectual Property. The thesis or internship (30 ECTS) must be completed in the field of innovation and intellectual property.
Students holding a Bachelor of Law enroll in the Master of Law within the Faculty of Law and validate the “Intellectual Property” track with 44 ECTS (26 ECTS of compulsory courses; 6 ECTS of specific elective courses; 12 ECTS of thematic seminar modules), including one module linked to the “Intellectual Property” track. The “Intellectual Property” track may be taken in parallel with another Master of Law track for 32 ECTS (compulsory courses, specific elective courses, or simply supplemented by 28 ECTS of free elective courses from the Master of Law).
No later than before the start of their thesis, students must notify the Registration Office and the Faculty of Law of their intention to undertake the bridging pathway, which consists of a minimum of 30 ECTS from the Fundamentals and Core Courses blocks of the Master of Law in Innovation and Intellectual Property. This is on the condition that students have validated the “Intellectual Property” track for 44 ECTS and have supplemented it with a second track or free elective courses to reach a total of 72 ECTS (60 ECTS of compulsory, specific elective or free elective courses, and 12 ECTS of thematic seminar modules).
However, if students validate only the “Intellectual Property” track with 44 ECTS (26 ECTS of compulsory courses; 6 ECTS of specific elective courses; and 12 ECTS of thematic seminar modules, including one module linked to the “Intellectual Property” track) and decide to undertake the bridging pathway, then it consists of a minimum of 30 ECTS from the Fundamentals and Core Courses blocks of the Master of Law in Innovation and Intellectual Property, which must be supplemented by 28 ECTS chosen from the courses in the “Innovation Law and Intellectual Property” track, the Interfaculty Options, or the general list of Master of Law courses. The thesis (18 ECTS) must be completed in the field of innovation and intellectual property.
In both cases (regular or pathway track), obtaining the Master of Law in Innovation and Intellectual Property requires a total of 120 ECTS credits. The program is governed by the Study and Examination Regulations of the interfaculty Master of Law/Arts/Science in Innovation (Master in Innovation).
Coordinator of the Innovation Law and Intellectual Property track
Daniel Kraus is a full professor and holds the Chair of Intellectual Property and Innovation Law at the University of Neuchâtel. He is the co-founder and director of the Intellectual Property and Innovation Center [PI]2.
Degrees awarded
Master in Innovation, Innovation Law and Intellectual Property track
