All engineers should be particularly concerned with patent law. This constitutionally-based discipline has to do with the process by which an invention and its creator are protected by the law from infringement and unfair competition. The class will deal with patent applications, research and prosecution, the law of infringement, and computer application of software (protected by copyright) and hardware (by patents). Learn what other concepts are patented, as well as machines, processes, mixtures, manufacturing, compositions of materials and methods of doing business and research. Not only do you deal with utility patents, but with design and plant patents as well. Learn copyright, trademark, trade dress, trade secrets and business methods. You will receive a survey of the rights of creative and ingenious people that will provide you with the information to protect yourself and your ideas in Intellectual Property matters.