Short course300 h · Online · 5 modules

Intellectual Property and Access to Marine Genetic Resources Course

This course prepares you to manage the legal side of marine biotechnology: who may access the genetic resources of the sea, on what terms, and how the results are protected and shared. You will study the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Nagoya Protocol, UNCLOS and the BBNJ Agreement on high seas biodiversity, the debate on digital sequence information, biotechnology patents and access, material transfer and licence agreements.

Duration300 h
ModeOnline
Start1 December
Modules5
Programme diagnosis

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About the programme

What is the Intellectual Property and Access to Marine Genetic Resources Course?

This short course prepares you to innovate with marine genetic resources on a sound legal footing. You will learn what marine genetic resources are and how the Convention on Biological Diversity, UNCLOS maritime zones and the rules on marine scientific research apply to them, how prior informed consent, mutually agreed terms, benefit-sharing and due diligence work under the Nagoya Protocol and in the European Union, what the BBNJ Agreement and the debate on digital sequence information mean for researchers and companies, what can be patented in biotechnology, and how material transfer agreements, licences and collaboration agreements are structured.

What sets this course apart: a complete framework covering international, regional and national law applied to the sea; up-to-date coverage of the BBNJ Agreement and digital sequence information; a practical focus on permits, contracts and due diligence; a clear explanation of what biotechnology patents can protect and how; and a practical case in which you build the legal strategy for a bioprospecting project.

Programme typeShort course
ModeOnline
Duration300 hours
Modules5
Start1 December

Programme highlights

  • Complete framework: international, regional and national law applied to the sea.
  • Current issues: the BBNJ Agreement and digital sequence information.
  • Practical focus: permits, contracts and due diligence.
  • Biotechnology patents: what can be protected and how.
  • Fair sharing: monetary and non-monetary benefit-sharing mechanisms.
  • Practical case: a legal strategy for a bioprospecting project.
Syllabus

Syllabus of the Intellectual Property and Access to Marine Genetic Resources Course

5 modules. Select a module to see its content.

Module 1

Marine genetic resources and international law

  • 1.1. What marine genetic resources are
  • 1.2. The Convention on Biological Diversity
  • 1.3. Maritime zones under UNCLOS
  • 1.4. Marine scientific research
  • 1.5. Associated traditional knowledge
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 2

The Nagoya Protocol and access to resources

  • 2.1. Prior informed consent
  • 2.2. Mutually agreed terms
  • 2.3. Monetary and non-monetary benefit-sharing
  • 2.4. Due diligence obligations
  • 2.5. Implementation in the European Union
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 3

The high seas and the BBNJ Agreement

  • 3.1. Biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction
  • 3.2. Genetic resources in the BBNJ Agreement
  • 3.3. Digital sequence information
  • 3.4. Benefit-sharing mechanisms
  • 3.5. Implications for researchers and companies
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 4

Patents and intellectual property in biotechnology

  • 4.1. Patentability requirements
  • 4.2. Patents on biological material
  • 4.3. Deposit of microorganisms
  • 4.4. Disclosure of origin
  • 4.5. Other forms of protection
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 5

Contracts, transfer and strategy

  • 5.1. Material transfer agreements
  • 5.2. Licences and assignments
  • 5.3. Collaboration agreements
  • 5.4. Management of collections and data
  • 5.5. Practical case: legal strategy for a bioprospecting project
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Plan your pace

Duration and format of the Intellectual Property and Access to Marine Genetic Resources Course

It is 300 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.

4 h30 h
With 12 h per week
6
months to finish
25 weeks
weeks in total

This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the instalment plan.

Faculty

Academic leadership and faculty

The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programmes.

Dra. Marina AlcoverDr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Ing. Diego CifuentesEng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Capt. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerDr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dra. Nuria LlobregatDr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Ing. Javier BañulsEng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Ing. Sofía MarquinaEng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Ing. Tomás RieraEng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration Coordinator
Objectives

Objectives of the Intellectual Property and Access to Marine Genetic Resources Course

01Explain the CBD, the Nagoya Protocol, UNCLOS and the BBNJ Agreement.
02Manage prior informed consent and mutually agreed terms.
03Apply the due diligence obligations of genetic resource users.
04Understand patentability requirements in biotechnology.
05Draft material transfer agreements and licences.
06Integrate legal aspects into research and innovation projects.
Careers

Career opportunities after the Intellectual Property and Access to Marine Genetic Resources Course

01Technology transfer officerhigher education institutions and research centres.
02Regulatory compliance managerbiotechnology companies.
03Intellectual property adviserlaw firms and consultancies.
04Public administration officermanagement of access permits.
Frequently asked questions

Questions about the Intellectual Property and Access to Marine Genetic Resources Course

Not only. It is also designed for scientists and managers who need to apply the rules in practice.

Yes. Its provisions on marine genetic resources and their implementation are analysed.

No. It provides applied knowledge, but it does not replace the official qualification required to act as a patent attorney.

You analyse model material transfer agreements and licences.

You draw up the complete legal strategy for a marine bioprospecting project.

Fully online, through a virtual campus available 24/7, with live sessions that are recorded and tutorials with the teaching staff.

The course comprises 300 hours of study across 5 modules of about 60 hours each and ends with an applied practical case. You can progress at your own pace within the schedule set when you enrol.

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Online admission

Admission process

No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enrol in the same session.

Entry requirements
  • Profile: aimed at marine biotechnology researchers who need to comply with access rules, technology transfer office staff who manage agreements and patents, lawyers and legal advisers interested in biodiversity law, managers of biotechnology companies that use marine genetic resources and public administration staff who process access permits; training in law, biology, biotechnology, marine sciences, pharmacy or a related field, or professional experience in research, technology transfer or legal advice, is recommended.
  • Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
  • Technical resources: a computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and a camera for live sessions and project presentations.
  • Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
  1. 01
    Application
    Your details, background and documents.
  2. 02
    Instant review
    We check that everything is complete and in order.
  3. 03
    Enrolment
    Choose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Start my applicationFrom $184 deposit

Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.

Any questions?

Ask us before you enrol

Leave your details and admissions will write to you to answer any questions. If you are already sure, you can apply and pay in the same session.

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