The ISIPO and Reykjavík University Enter into Partnership

The Icelandic Intellectual Property Office (ISIPO) and Reykjavík University (RU) have joined forces to enhance students' and staff members' understanding of the importance of intellectual property rights for innovation and business. This will be achieved through the organization of educational events for students, staff, and the public. Borghildur Erlingsdóttir, Director General of ISIPO, and Ragnhildur Helgadóttir, President of Reykjavík University, signed the collaboration agreement at RU last Friday.

"One of ISIPO’s roles is to increase societal awareness of the importance of intellectual property rights. There is arguably no better place to educate people on this than within universities, where understanding how intellectual property registration creates value is crucial—whether through patents for inventions, trademarks, or design registrations. We are therefore extremely pleased with this agreement," Borghildur said at the signing.

Ragnhildur also emphasized the importance of strengthening knowledge about intellectual property rights. "Over the years, a significant number of startups have emerged within RU, founded by both students and staff. Many students have also gone on to establish companies after completing their studies. These businesses often rely on intellectual property, with their value stemming from exclusive rights to utilize these innovations. It is vital that our students and staff have access to education and guidance in this field, and we are therefore very happy with this agreement."

The agreement covers, among other things, lectures on intellectual property rights as part of the three-week course Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the largest course offered at RU, which students from most departments take at the end of their first or second year. In this course, students work in teams under the guidance of teachers and experts to develop their own business ideas, create and test prototypes, and presentations for investors. Under the agreement, ISIPO will provide education on intellectual property rights within the course, covering topics such as patents for inventions, trademark registration, design protection, trade secrets, copyright, and more.

Additionally, ISIPO will offer intellectual property education in other courses, in consultation with instructors and program directors, and collaborate with RU to organize special courses or lecture series on intellectual property rights. ISIPO has also committed to offering at least one master's student from RU's law department an internship at the office each semester. Lastly, RU students and staff will have access to general advisory services from ISIPO on key aspects of intellectual property law, with the goal of supporting innovation within the university community.