What is intellectual property?

Intellectual property is any property that is intangible. The concept of intellectual property covers such things as music and lyrics, ideas for inventions, film and television scripts, artwork, and branding concepts. The legal realm of intellectual property governs the protection of intellectual property and what happens when individuals or organizations violate—or trespass on—others' intellectual property. In other words, if you have an original idea, you have the right for that idea to be protected from theft of all or part of it. The protection of intellectual property takes place under copyright and patent laws. Copyright protects artwork of any kind, while patent protects inventions and the concepts surrounding them.

Why is it important to learn about intellectual property?

The most important reasons to learn about intellectual property are to ensure that you don't violate the laws that govern the protection of intellectual property and to understand how to protect your own ideas. The laws and regulations that concern intellectual property help to protect innovation and make sure that proper credit goes to those who develop different forms of intellectual property. Knowing about intellectual property allows you to keep and defend your ideas and avoid infringing on the ideas that others have devised.

What are typical careers that use intellectual property?

Artists, inventors, and innovators in multiple industries deal with intellectual property issues on an almost daily basis. Intellectual property is at the forefront of careers in the arts, technology, and medicine. If you're serious about developing new ideas ranging from a new corporate logo to medical breakthroughs to the next popular television show, a thorough knowledge of intellectual property is essential to your line of work.

How can online courses on Coursera help me learn intellectual property?

Online courses on Coursera can give you knowledge of intellectual property law and its ramifications in various industries. You can take online courses that give you a broad view of the concepts that surround intellectual property, and you'll find courses that cover more specific subjects like copyright law for music and how to protect ideas in the medical sector.

What are the benefits of taking an online Intellectual Property course?

Online Intellectual Property courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Intellectual Property skills. Choose from a wide range of Intellectual Property courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

What Intellectual Property courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Intellectual Property, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Best Intellectual Property Courses & Certificates [2025]

Explore the Intellectual Property Course Catalog

Status: Free Trial
University of Pennsylvania
Intellectual Property Law
Skills you'll gain: Intellectual Property, Brand Awareness, Legal Strategy, Brand Management, Asset Protection, Case Law, Regulation and Legal Compliance, Packaging and Labeling, Case Studies, Asset Management, Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Marketing, Innovation, Strategic Thinking, Business Strategy, Business Valuation, Creativity, Legal Risk, Strategic Planning, Planning
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
1.5K reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Pennsylvania
Introduction to Intellectual Property
Skills you'll gain: Intellectual Property, Legal Strategy, Regulation and Legal Compliance, Business Strategy, Case Studies, Asset Management, Innovation, Brand Awareness, Brand Management, Business Valuation, Economics
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
1.1K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Preview
University of Cambridge
Law and Genetics
Skills you'll gain: Intellectual Property, Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Medical Privacy, Biotechnology, Regulation and Legal Compliance, Legal Research, Life Sciences, Healthcare Ethics, Emerging Technologies
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Preview
EDHEC Business School
Intellectual Property as Competitive Advantage for Companies
Skills you'll gain: Intellectual Property, Business Strategy, Strategic Thinking, Competitive Analysis, Corporate Strategy, Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Asset Management, Legal Strategy, Portfolio Management, Case Studies, Asset Protection, Brand Management, Entrepreneurship, Risk Management
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Preview
Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
Patenting in Biotechnology
Skills you'll gain: Intellectual Property, Biotechnology, Information Management, Technical Writing, Regulation and Legal Compliance, Analysis
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
241 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Preview
Duke University
Copyright for Multimedia
Skills you'll gain: Intellectual Property, Data Sharing, Multimedia, Music, Video Production, Electronic Media, Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Photography
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
421 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

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Status: Free Trial
University of Pennsylvania
Patent Law
Skills you'll gain: Intellectual Property, Legal Strategy, Legal Risk, Regulation and Legal Compliance, Case Studies, Business Requirements, Case Law, Business Strategy, Innovation, Analysis
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
299 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Maryland, College Park
Intellectual Property for Entrepreneurs
Skills you'll gain: Intellectual Property, Entrepreneurship, Business Strategy, Innovation, Regulation and Legal Compliance, Legal Strategy, Legal Risk, Commercialization, Branding, Competitive Analysis
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
77 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Pennsylvania
Intellectual Property in the Healthcare Industry
Skills you'll gain: Intellectual Property, Healthcare Industry Knowledge, Pharmaceuticals, Regulation and Legal Compliance, Health Care, Legal Strategy, Drug Development, Health Policy, Medical Science and Research, Case Studies, Molecular Biology, Economics
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
139 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Protecting Business Innovation
Skills you'll gain: Intellectual Property, E-Commerce, Global Marketing, Brand Management, Innovation, Strategic Partnership, Business Strategy, Price Negotiation, New Business Development, Corporate Strategy, Mergers & Acquisitions, Business Process, Digital Assets, Case Studies, Case Law, Commercial Laws, Legal Strategy, Legal Proceedings, Legal Risk, New Product Development
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
887 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Maryland, College Park
Legal Aspects of Entrepreneurship
Skills you'll gain: Intellectual Property, Commercial Laws, Risk Management, Business Risk Management, Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurial Finance, Vendor Contracts, Legal Risk, Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Contract Negotiation, Contract Management, Contract Review, Business, Labor Law, Business Management, New Business Development, Business Strategy, Innovation, Regulation and Legal Compliance, Legal Strategy
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
258 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Pennsylvania
Copyright Law
Skills you'll gain: Intellectual Property, Case Law, Case Studies, Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Creativity, Commercial Laws
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
377 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks