Guest lecture “Why intellectual property is important”

23. December 2024

Attorney at law Štefan Štefanek held a lecture on the topic “Why intellectual property is important” to students of the Faculty of Economics in Osijek as part of the course Starting a Business Venture at the University Graduate Study. The lecture was organized following an invitation of professor Sunčica Oberman Peterka, Ph.D.,

Students were introduced to the basic legal forms of intellectual property (copyright, patent law, industrial design law and trademark law) with the aim of understanding the social and economic purpose of these rights.

Intellectual property law is actually a deal between the right holder and the state: the individual discovers his/her creation that can contribute to the growth of general social value, and in return the state gives the right holder the exclusive opportunity to economically exploit the creation himself/herself for a certain period of time with legal protection against everyone else.

Intellectual property law is important because:

  • Has a high commercial value (intellectual property), is part of the good will (fame) of the entrepreneur,
  • Gives an advantage to the undertaking (only the holder of intellectual property rights can produce or provide the protected product or service),
  • Protects the invested funds and effort; Can be the most valuable asset of an entrepreneur,
  • Excludes others from unauthorised use (other entrepreneurs may not economically exploit protected products and services without the permission of the intellectual property rights holder),
  • Protects consumers – gives them security of source of goods and services or quality.