This module introduces scientists to IP by weaving the basic areas of IP (patents, copyright, trademarks, and trade secrets) with an understanding of inventors’ rights and obligations and the mechanisms by which such rights can be harnessed into the economically beneficial outcomes of commercialization, both within the academic milieu and beyond. Using a case study, you will learn to read and interpret patent documents, conduct patent and trade-mark searches, and gain an understanding of IP matters in the context of commercializing an invention by conducting freedom-to-operate analyses. The module also includes a panel presentation of the IP policies of the University and its affiliated hospitals to familiarize you with each institution’s invention policies.