Registration Now Open: WIPO-Harvard Law School PatentX Course

November 19, 2024

The WIPO-Harvard Law School (HLS) joint certificate course on Patent Law and Global Public Health (“PatentX”) is now open for registration until December 31, 2024 on the WIPO eLearning Center for the session starting on January 27, 2025.

The PatentX course addresses the critical role of intellectual property (IP) in stimulating the production and distribution of vaccines and medicines, particularly in pandemics.

What does the course cover?

The course is divided into two parts. The first part covers the basics of patent law, and the second part considers how patent law can be applied or adapted to mitigate the current public-health crisis and reduce the global disease burden in the future.

Participants will have the unique opportunity to learn from faculty members trained by the Directors of Harvard Law School’s Global Access in Action, including instructors from the WIPO Joint Master’s Programs, about a range of topics such as:

the global health crisis;
how to improve pharmaceutical markets using IP; and
alternative incentive systems for fostering innovation.

Participants who successfully complete the course will receive a certificate jointly signed by WIPO and Harvard Law School.

How to apply?

Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply for the course by submitting applications that meet the following criteria:

educational qualifications (university degree(s) in any field);
descriptions of their relevant professional experiences (if any);
a recent curriculum vitae; and
a brief statement of motivation explaining why they wish to take the course.

Applications must be submitted online through the WIPO eLearning Center. Successful applicants will be notified of their admission into the course by the WIPO Academy. For more information, please contact the course administration.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply?

The WIPO-Harvard PatentX course is offered free-of-charge to a limited number of participants. It is open to candidates with university degree(s) in any field.

What is the duration of the course?

The duration of the course is 12 weeks. It is offered twice each year.

Who is the target audience?

The course is designed primarily for government officials, nongovernmental policymakers, academics, post-graduate students, professionals in fields related to health care, and members of the public who wish to enhance their knowledge and skills in the field of IP and global public health.

What will be the weekly workload/class schedule?

Taking the course conscientiously requires approximately 5 hours of focused work per week. Specifically, it entails:

1.5 hours dedicated to watching the recorded lecture for the week;
1.5 hours for participating in the weekly seminar;
2 hours for reading the material in the syllabus.

Academic support is provided throughout the course by an experienced tutor trained and certified by HLS.

Is attendance mandatory?

To be eligible to take the final exam and receive a certificate of completion, each participant must attend and actively participate in at least ten out of the twelve weekly seminars.

Will there be any final exam?

A written final examination will be administered. Participants who wish to take the examination will submit written responses via the HLS platform.

What our participants are saying?

“The WIPO-Harvard PatentX Course has been one of my best personal rewards this year, I highly recommend it for anyone with an interest in patent law and global public health. It is not only a great opportunity to learn foundational knowledge but also a chance to meet fellow passionate people from all over the world.”- Sara Omar Hanafy, Egypt

“The Harvard-WIPO PatentX Course has been a truly transformative experience, blending rigorous legal knowledge with real-world application in the field of intellectual property. Each seminar has been filled with thought-provoking discussions and invaluable insights, equipping us with the expertise to navigate complex IP issues at a global level.” - Gourab Mondial, India

“The PatentX course is highly expository, connecting patents, global health, the pharmaceutical industry, and governmental roles across various countries. It’s not a regular course—it encourages you to think outside the box and fosters a genuine sense of belonging. The quality of our facilitators' contributions is outstanding. The highlight for me was part two of the course, especially week nine, where we engaged in a group exercise negotiating a voluntary license agreement. The most significant part of the experience, beyond the fascinating insights into global health, has been the opportunity to connect with a diverse group of peers from all over the world.” - Idris Malik, Nigeria