Introduction
In this course, an overview is provided of national and EU/EEA legal regulation concerning the competitive conditions for individuals and businesses in the market. This regulation consists of three main pillars: intellectual property law, competition law, and protection against unfair competition.
The course covers questions regarding how intellectual property rights are established, their content, and the limits on the use of these rights. Particular emphasis is placed on patent law for technical inventions, trademark rights, and copyright for creative works. In competition law, the rules for the efficient use of societal resources by promoting competition in the business sector are addressed, including the prohibition of anti-competitive cooperation (such as illegal price-fixing) and the abuse of a dominant position in a market.
Technological developments lead to an increased need for legal regulation, and knowledge of this framework is important for individual businesses. At the same time, the rules must be viewed in conjunction with sustainability goals, which is reflected in how we interpret and understand intellectual property law, competition law, and protection against unfair competition.