Intellectual property regulation in Circular Economy

Intellectual property regulation in Circular Economy

In today’s rapidly evolving global economy, intellectual property (IP) plays a crucial role in shaping innovation and sustainability. As businesses and industries transition toward circular models—where products, materials, and resources are designed for reuse, recycling, and regeneration—IP regulations must adapt to balance innovation incentives with public access to sustainable technologies.

This course explores the foundations of intellectual property regulation in the context of the circular economy. You will gain insights into key IP instruments, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets, and understand how they influence the development, protection, and sharing of green innovations. Through historical perspectives, real-world case studies, and emerging trends, we will examine how IP laws can support—or hinder—the transition to sustainable business models.

By the end of this module, you will be equipped to analyze the role of IP in circular economy initiatives, identify challenges in balancing proprietary rights with open innovation, and explore strategies for fostering collaboration in sustainable technology development.