A patent is a legal grant of protection given to an inventor (person or company) to protect the intellectual property rights of that party's invention. When a patent is awarded on a service or product, that gives the patent owner the legal right to block another party from borrowing or stealing the intellectual property of the invention. Only an individual inventor can be awarded a solo patent for the idea of the product or service. If two or more people create an invention, then they would apply for a patent as joint inventors.

Why is it important to learn about patents?

When it comes to understanding patents, it's important to learn that a company can be the owners of a patent you discover while working for the company. This can happen due to one or two conditions: 1) if you signed an employee agreement that assigned invention rights to the company, or 2) you were specifically hired to create inventions. If you develop a new invention (say, a new vaccine) while you're employed with a company, the company will likely own the patent, which is good in the United States for 20 years.

How does learning about patents help my career?

Learning about a patent application process and the subsequent award can help you increase your capabilities in business law and intellectual property knowledge. If you work in a medical science organization or a technology company that creates new innovations on a regular basis, it pays to know about the patent application process and award approval. This understanding can be a great foundation for you to build a career in copyright protection, trademarks, business innovation, and patent applications.

How can taking online courses increase my knowledge of patents?

When you take online courses to learn about patents, you will also learn details around protecting inventions by using patents. Explore the new insights about intellectual property laws, how to protect your inventions in different industries, and how to maximize the financial viability of a patent. you'll appreciate how your mind will get challenged in these online courses. More importantly, you'll love the flexibility and freedom that online courses provide for learning new subjects in your spare time.

What are the benefits of taking an online Patent course?

Online Patent courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Patent skills. Choose from a wide range of Patent courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

What Patent courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Patent, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Best Patent Courses & Certificates [2025]

Explore the Patent Course Catalog

University of Pennsylvania
Patent Law
Skills you'll gain: Product Knowledge, Asset Protection, Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Business Strategies, Innovation, Competitive Analysis, Analysis
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
284 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Pennsylvania
Intellectual Property Law
Skills you'll gain: Branding, Logo Design, Brand Strategy, Brand Awareness, Brand Management, Packaging and Labeling, Asset Protection, Business Strategy, Strategic Planning, Product Knowledge, Regulation and Legal Compliance, Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Innovation, Creativity, Risk Management, Business Strategies, Competitive Analysis, Analysis, Writing, Economics
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
1.5K reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free
Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
Patenting in Biotechnology
Skills you'll gain: Pharmaceuticals, Regulation and Legal Compliance, Commercialization, Information Management, Science and Research, Life Sciences, Business Strategy, Database Management Systems, Analysis
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
237 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Pennsylvania
Introduction to Intellectual Property
Skills you'll gain: Asset Protection, Business Strategy, Strategic Planning, Product Knowledge, Innovation, Brand Awareness, Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Economics, Policy Analysis
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
1K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Maryland, College Park
Legal Aspects of Entrepreneurship
Skills you'll gain: Risk Management, Business Risk Management, Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurial Finance, Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Contract Negotiation, Contract Management, Contract Review, Business, Labor Law, Business Management, New Business Development, Business Strategy, Innovation, Asset Protection, Business Ethics, Staff Management, Brand Awareness, Regulation and Legal Compliance, Finance
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
243 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Protecting Business Innovations via Patent
Skills you'll gain: Business Process, Innovation, Business Strategy, Business Software, Commercialization, New Product Development, Entrepreneurship, Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Product Development
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
525 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Pennsylvania
Intellectual Property in the Healthcare Industry
Skills you'll gain: Healthcare Industry Knowledge, Pharmaceuticals, Health Care, Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Regulatory Affairs, Medical Science and Research, Research, Economics, Business Strategy, Innovation, Policy Analysis
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
138 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
EIT Digital
Value Creation Through Innovation
Skills you'll gain: Closing (Sales), Business Modeling, Cold Calling, Design Thinking, Customer Analysis, Entrepreneurship, Technology Roadmaps, Innovation, Sales Process, Market Research, Technology Strategies, Business Strategies, Market Analysis, Target Market, Business Strategy, Forecasting, Ideation, Marketing Strategy and Techniques, Marketing Strategies, Competitive Analysis
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
715 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
University of Maryland, College Park
Product Ideation, Design, and Management
Skills you'll gain: Stakeholder Management, Product Management, Product Development, New Product Development, Wireframing, Financial Statements, Product Design, Team Leadership, Prototyping, Competitive Analysis, Commercialization, Product Lifecycle Management, Financial Modeling, Value Propositions, Proposal Writing, Innovation, Corporate Finance, Target Market, Market Opportunities, Product Improvement
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
675 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free
Università Bocconi
A Scientific Approach to Innovation Management
Skills you'll gain: Data Analysis, Innovation, Strategic Decision-Making, Statistical Analysis, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Complex Problem Solving, Regression Analysis, Decision Making, Big Data, Strategic Thinking, Analytical Skills, Entrepreneurship, Performance Measurement, Business Metrics, A/B Testing, Machine Learning
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
77 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
The University of Sydney
Innovation Through Design: Think, Make, Break, Repeat
Skills you'll gain: Design Thinking, Human Centered Design, Innovation, Service Design, Prototyping, Ideation, Product Development, Design, Design Research, User Feedback
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
2.2K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Michigan State University
The Search for Great Ideas: Harnessing creativity to empower innovation.
Skills you'll gain: Design Thinking, Ideation, Innovation, Brainstorming, Market Opportunities, Creative Thinking, Creativity, Entrepreneurship, Strategic Thinking, Creative Problem-Solving, Curiosity, Product Development, Resource Planning, Market Research, Customer Insights, Customer Analysis
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
296 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks