The Research Journey: From Legal Protection to Practical Application

The course offers a clear introduction to how to protect and at the same time effectively use research results. Participants will become familiar with the principles of intellectual property in the academic environment – from copyright to patents, designs, and trademarks – and will understand their practical significance. The course also introduces the main steps and tools of technology transfer: how to assess the potential of outputs, prepare them for practice, set contractual and financial frameworks, or lay the groundwork for creating a spin-off. The program also includes topics related to digitalization, AI, and ethical dilemmas concerning protection versus open sharing. The course draws on current experience and practice in the academic environment.

Entry requirements for the course:
To enroll in the course, participants should have the following knowledge and skills:
• Basic knowledge of R&D and understanding of the scientific process
• General technical knowledge – understanding of basic technologies relevant to the field and the ability to apply scientific findings in practice
• Basic awareness of concepts such as technology transfer, intellectual property, patenting, and entrepreneurship
• Creative and innovative thinking – openness to new ideas and approaches
• Ability to analyze and solve complex problems
• Communication skills
• Teamwork – the ability to work in a team and collaborate with colleagues from different fields within transfer-related cooperation
• Motivation and determination to learn new things and the commitment to overcome challenges

Requirements for the course completion
To successfully complete the course, participants must:
• Prepare their own literature review on a chosen topic (by April 30, 2026)
• Develop a presentation for a potential investor/commercial partner focusing on the PhD student’s research and development activities (by April 30, 2026)


Applications: http://czv.vsb.cz/kurzy

1. Why Address Intellectual Property in Research
Introduction to the legal framework for protecting research outputs. The importance of intellectual property for individuals, teams, and institutions.

2. What to Protect and How
Types of legal protection: patents, industrial designs, trademarks. When it makes sense to seek protection and what the basic process looks like.

3. Copyright in Science
How copyright applies to scientific and development outputs. The difference between individual and employee works, and specifics of the academic environment.

4. New Challenges: AI, Digitalization, and Openness
How technology and open science are changing approaches to protecting results. Where ethical questions begin and where standard practice ends.

5. Bringing Research Results into Practice
Basic overview of the technology transfer process. The role of the university, the researcher, and partners – who does what and why.

6. Recognizing Potential and Staying on Track
How to identify outputs with social or commercial impact. Basics of assessing technology, the team, and context.

7. Contracts that Make Sense
Licensing and cooperation agreements – what they must contain and why they are key. Who is responsible for what.

8. Financial Support and a Sustainable Model
Funding options for development and commercialization. How to think about a business model before a company exists.

9. From Research to Spin-off
What starting your own company entails. First steps, team building, division of roles, and basic orientation in the business environment.

10. Lessons from the Field

Case studies of successful technology transfer from the academic environment – both from VŠB-TUO and beyond.


Available study materials
1. MESARČÍK, Matúš; GYURÁSZ, Zoltán et al. Právo a umelá inteligencia. Bratislava: Právnická fakulta Univerzity Komenského v Bratislave, 2024. ISBN: 978-80-7160-715-1
2. HORÁČEK, Roman; ČADA, Karel a HAJN, Petr. Práva k průmyslovému vlastnictví. 3., doplněné a přepracované vydání. Academia iuris. V Praze: C.H. Beck, 2017. ISBN 978-80-7400-655-5.
3. SRSTKA, Jiří; BARTÁK, Jan; DOBŘICHOVSKÝ, Tomáš; KOUKAL, Pavel; LEŠKA, Rudolf et al. Autorské právo a práva související: vysokoškolská učebnice. Vydání třetí. Student. Praha: Leges, 2024. ISBN 978-80-7502-685-9.
4. VEKINIS, George. Mastering technology transfer: from invention to innovation: a step-by-step guide for researchers and inventors. Second editiion. Studies on entrepreneurship, structural change and industrial dynamics. Cham, Switzerland: Springer, [2023]. ISBN 978-3-031-44368-8.
5. BHUTTO, Arabella. Converting ideas to innovation with Lean Canvas for Invention. Advances in educational technologies and instructional design (AETID) book series. Hershey, PA: IGI Global, [2023]. ISBN 978-1-6684-8341-1.
6. AUDRETSCH, David E.; LEHMANN, Erik B. a LINK, Albert N. Handbook of Technology Transfer. Edward Elgar Publishing, 2022. ISBN 978-18-0037-439-3.
7. HOCKADAY, Tom. University technology transfer: what it is and how to do it. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2020. ISBN 978-1-4214-3706-4.
8. FUSEK, Martin; KOVAŘÍČKOVÁ, Kateřina a VLK, Aleš. Věda pro společnost: spolupráce a technologický transfer v oblasti chemie a biochemie. Vydání: první. Praha: Vysoká škola chemicko-technologická v Praze, 2020. ISBN 978-80-7592-078-2.
9. OSTERWALDER, Alexander; PIGNEUR, Yves; BERNARDA, Greg a SMITH, Alan. Vydělávejte svými nápady: vytvářejte produkty a služby, po kterých zákazníci touží. Přeložil Markéta POLOCHOVÁ. V Brně: BizBooks, 2016. ISBN 978-80-265-0452-8.
10. MARUSIC, Andreja; VOICU, Dorobantu; HAUNOLD, Christophe; PROCTOR, Ian a CROWELL, Wriston Mark. Technological Transfer Handbook. Online. Washington, D.C.: World Bank Group., 2022. Dostupné z: https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/099232503052331899/pdf/P1672830e4ee5908d09a360285d26dd4040.pdf. [cit. 2025-07-14].
11. Úřad průmyslového vlastnictví. Online. 2024. Dostupné z: https://upv.gov.cz/. [cit. 2025-07-16].
12. European Patent Office. Online. 2024. Dostupné z: https://www.epo.org/en. [cit. 2025-07-16].
13. WIPO – World Intellectual Property Organization. Online. 2024. Dostupné z: https://www.wipo.int/portal/en/index.html. [cit. 2025-07-16].
14. European Union Intellectual Property Office. Online. 2024. Dostupné z: https://www.euipo.europa.eu/cs. [cit. 2025-07-16].
15. European Parliament. Artificial intelligence. Online. 2025. Dostupné z: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/topics/en/topic/artificial-intelligence [cit. 2025-07-16].
16. Česká asociace umělé inteligence. ONLINE. 2025. Dostupné z: https://asociace.ai/https://asociace.ai/ [cit. 2025-07-16]