Legal Aspects of Technology Management

 Type of module (compulsory / elective)

Elective module at 120 ECTS

Level of the module (according to EQF: first cycle Bachelor / second cycle Master)

EQF-Level 7; Master’s level

Academic Year

1

Semester in which the module is offered

Winter semester 2026/27

Duration of the module

6 weeks

Total workload

180 hrs

(40 hrs attendance; 140 hrs self-study)

Usability of the module

Independent module

Number of ECTS credits assigned

6

Name of the lecturer(s)

Module Supervisor: Börge Seeger

Learning outcomes of the module

·        Identify legal risks in technology-driven businesses

·        Develop practical strategies for protecting technology and intellectual property

·        Understand and structure technology transactions

·        Draft and negotiate license and project agreements

·        Solve complex legal issues in the field of technology

Type of course (face-to-face, distance learning)

Designed as a digital learning path; blended learning

Seminar with tutorial

Prerequisites according to curriculum

None

Course content

The course examines legal issues as strategic management challenges throughout the lifecycle of a technology company. It explores how legal risk influences technology management, innovation, commercialization and business strategy.

Part 1: Legal Risk and Intellectual Property

·        Legal risk management

·        Patents, trade secrets, copyright and trademarks

·        IP strategy and competitive advantage

Part 2: Data, AI and Commercialization

·        Data protection and AI governance

·        Licensing and technology transactions

·        Research and collaboration agreements

Part 3: Technology Negotiation and Business Strategy

·        Contract negotiation and key contractual provisions

·        Legal due diligence

·        Management and investor perspectives on legal risk

Recommended or obligatory literature

·        Bagley, C. E. & Dauchy, C. (2023). The Entrepreneur's Guide to Business Law (6th ed.). Cengage Learning.

·        Tollen, D. (2022). The Tech Contracts Handbook (3rd ed.). American Bar Association.

·        Bainbridge, D. (2024). Intellectual Property (12th ed.). Pearson.

Additional reading from legislation, case law, academic articles and industry publications will be assigned throughout the module.

Examination method

Written assessment and/or oral presentation

Module Grading Breakdown

(subject to change) Written assessment: 50%

Oral presentation: 50%

Teaching method

Inverted Classroom, case discussions and group work

Language of instruction

English