Registration Deadline Aug 30th
IEEE 591B - LEGAL ASPECTS OF ENGINEERING       Fall, 2003

Instructor:        Michael A. Lechter, Attorney          

Telephone:      480-607-1940

E Mail:             mal@mlechter.com

Time:              TUES. 6:40- 9:30 p.m.

Class Room:  ECG 315

Course Objectives

Provide engineering graduate students with a basic understanding of legal issues likely to be encountered in practice, and practical approaches and solutions.  An emphasis placed on intellectual property issues.

Topics to be Covered

o            Trade Secrets and Confidentiality Agreements

o            Patents

o            On-line Data Bases

o            Copyrights

o            Trademarks

o            Avoiding Infringement of Third Party Intellectual Property

o            Ownership of Intellectual Property

o            Basic Contracts and Agreements

o            Employment Agreements

o            Agreements Regarding Third Party Relations

o            Agreements Regarding Sales and Marketing Relations

o            Internet Issues

Texts

PROTECTING YOUR #1 ASSET, Michael A. Lechter,Warner Books, 2001.

Some additional handouts may be given out in class.

Prerequisite

Graduate standing or consent of instructor.

Grades

Points

Midterm Exam/Project (to be determined)                         200           

Final Exam/Project (to be determined)                               250

In-class exercises and class participation                             50

500 Total Points

Grades will be determined as follows:

450+                          =            A

400 - 449                   =            B

350 - 399                   =            C

250 - 299                   =            D

.>250                         =            F

The maximum cutoff points above may be reduced (not increased) at the instructor's discretion; however, no preconceived distribution will be sought.  All worthy students can earn an A!

Course Operations

A highly interactive teaching/learning format will be used requiring extensive student in-class participation.  Case studies, small group exercises, guest speakers, audio-visual programs, oral reports, and other techniques will be used to aid the learning process.

Since students have many things to do, all specific deadline dates will be announced well in advance.  You are, however, responsible for any work missed.  Late assignments will not be accepted.  (If you have to be away from class on the due date of an assignment, it must be turned in prior to the established due date.)  Most business offices are extremely schedule conscious; therefore, it is important to experience firm deadline procedures

Regular attendance is also expected.

Critical dates you must work into your schedule - the final exam, projects and reports are shown on the class schedule.

Projects

You may be assigned projects (in some cases working in a group of three or four students).  The projects will involve simulations of situations typically encountered in practice.  The projects may culminate in written reports and oral presentations.  More details will be provided in separate handouts.

Office Location and Hours

My office is located at 6611 N. 64^th Place in Paradise Valley and I can be reached at 480-607-1940.

You can easily communicate with me via E Mail (address above).  I check it daily!  I will also normally be available right after class - especially by appointment.