Learning outcomes

In Walloon Region, the industrial network mainly consists of Small and Medium size Enterprises (99.5%) whose innovation approach is based on intrapreneurship rather than on a causal approach typical of large companes where the management of technology and financial risks is the rule. The VIANEO method, developed by Séverine Herlin in 2008, offers solutions for the management of innovative breakthrough projects, such as those carried out within our University, focusing on the search for Excellence, the question of market access strategy through differentiating advantage, the identification of painful needs and supportive network of economic actors and influencers. Among differentiating advantage, protection of Intellectual Property through patents, designs and models, trademarks or software is key. The path is always exciting and access to tools such as VIANEO, proof of concept project (POC), technology transfers or creation of spin-offs (Win4SO) are assets for the University's research entrepreneurs.

Goals

This training aims to raise the awareness of researchers from the Faculty of Sciences to two main thematics, on the one hand, to the different types of protection of the Intellectual Property of research results (patents, designs and models, copyright, licenses software, etc.), the rights they confer as well as the filing procedures for these types of protection, and on the other hand, the promotion of research results with the aim of meeting unmet needs by identifying a domain of market application so as to anchor an innovation breakthrough project in a socio-economic reality and implement a deployment strategy, or even the transfer of a marketable product or the creation of a new activity through a spin-off.

Content

The theoretical course (15 h) in connection with the master thesis in the Faculty of Sciences is divided into three equivalent parts. The two first ones focus on the basics of the protection of Intellectual Property in the field of either materials, life sciences or software. The third part targets the intrapreunarial approach as well as maturation project, technology transfer, and even the creation of spin-off.

Assessment method

Oral assessement related to the master thesis of the student in the Faculty of Sciences.

Sources, references and any support material

Powerpoint presentation with included references.

Language of instruction

French