Patentability by Design

Course

In a global context marked by rapid technological change and intense competition, design is constantly exposed to the risk of imitation. This can undermine the economic sustainability of organizations that invest in cutting-edge solutions, making the protection of intellectual property a priority. The Executive Course in Patentability by Design provides the tools needed to protect and enhance creativity and innovation in both digital and physical design artifacts. Below are the program’s key objectives:

• Understand the fundamentals of intellectual property law and gain in-depth knowledge of patents, trademarks, industrial designs, copyright, trade secrets, and know-how, with a focus on their practical application in the fields of design and creativity
• Develop the skills to identify a project’s distinctive, innovative, and legally protectable elements in order to safeguard design artifacts and enhance their market value
• Learn specific strategies, methodologies, and tools for protecting intellectual property rights, enabling informed decision-making based on a thorough analysis of IP-related opportunities and risks, and contributing to the sustainability and value creation of innovative solutions.

Thanks to a practical and targeted approach, the program trains designers, consultants, and project managers to protect intellectual property rights while fostering commercial opportunities.

The course lasts 60 hours and is delivered primarily online, scheduled on days and times that accommodate working professionals. Below are some of the main topics covered:

• Fundamentals of intellectual property in design
• Strategies for protecting and enhancing creativity, from rights registration tools to the economic return on intellectual property
• Design and patentability workshop, including case study analysis and the development of an intellectual property protection strategy
• Digital challenges and sustainable innovation, with a focus on AI, big data, and the relationship between invention rights and open-source knowledge

Didactics

Attendance

Attendance at the Course is 80% mandatory.

Didactic Modules

The Course has a total duration of 60 hours. The theoretical component is delivered online and remotely, while the practical workshop takes place in person. Except for the workshop, classes are held on Fridays and Saturdays to facilitate participation by working professionals.

Module 1 | 16 hours
Fundamentals of Intellectual Property in Design
An overview of intellectual property principles and their relevance to protecting creativity and innovation. Key topics include: introduction to intellectual property (patents, trademarks, industrial designs, copyright, and trade secrets); national and international IP regulations; differences between major legal systems (e.g., EU, USA, China, Japan) and their implications for rights protection; the role of IP in design and innovation (case studies and real-world examples); methodologies for identifying innovative and protectable elements in design projects.

Module 2 | 12 hours
Strategies for Protecting and Enhancing Creativity
An in-depth exploration of practical IP strategies to protect and enhance creativity. Key topics include: practical tools for registering and protecting rights (procedures and requirements); preventive protection strategies (non-disclosure agreements, licensing, and commercial agreements); economic valorization of IP (monetization, licensing, partnerships); conflict management and legal defense (how to address disputes and infringements)

Module 3 | 24 hours
Design and Patentability Workshop
Hands-on experience simulating a real design context. Key activities include: analysis of a real or simulated case (brief provided by instructors or partner companies); design of an innovative artifact with identification of protectable elements; development of an IP protection strategy for the project; strategies for effectively communicating innovation and enhancing its market value; exploration and evaluation of post-protection options; presentation of results, instructor feedback, and group discussion.

Module 4 | 8 hours
Digital Challenges and Sustainable Innovation
A focus on opportunities offered by emerging technologies and the promotion of an ethical and sustainable design approach. Key topics include: the impact of AI and big data on creativity and intellectual property management; strategies for protecting eco-innovations and promoting responsible design; international certifications and standards (how to differentiate products and services through sustainability and responsible innovation); analysis of ethical implications related to IP, with a focus on balancing invention rights protection and open access to knowledge.

Title Released

Upon completion, participants will receive the open badge for the Executive Course in Patentability by Design.

Admission

Requirements

Admission to the course is subject to a prior selection process. Applicants must submit the following selection documents via this LINK:

• Copy of the Tax Code (Codice Fiscale) and identification document.
• CV briefly describing their professional profile.

Price

The total fee of the course is € 2,928.00 per student. This amount must be paid in a single installment upon signing the private agreement.

LEARNING COLLECTION CATALOGUE LAUNCH: -40%
A promotion for anyone who enrolls in the courses of the Learning Collection catalogue by September 30, 2026.

EARLY BIRD: -10%
The promotion for those who have clear ideas, know which educational path can enrich their future, and can’t wait to get back to the classroom. Limited places! See the page on the website.

FAMILY SUPPORT: -50%
A chance to gift your siblings the encouragement they need to invest in their future.

FRIEND TO FRIEND: -20%
An opportunity to gift to a friend to make education the foundation of their growth.

POLI.NETWORK: -50%
A promotion designed to strengthen the bond and identity among members of the Politecnico di Milano community.

BACK TO SCHOOL: -30% on Executive Courses
The discount for those who have already trusted POLI.design and Polimi, and wish to return to study and build their future

MORE THAN ONE: -50% 
A discount for those who want to perfect their skills, for those who continually invest in education, not just once but multiple times. 

BUSINESS BOOST

The discount designed for companies that recognize training as a crucial factor for growth.

The “Business Boost” discount provides a variable reduction on the participation fee for two or more employees in catalog courses. Specifically, the discount amounts to:

• 15% on the participation fee for the second employee’s enrollment
• 20% on the participation fee for the third employee’s enrollment
• 25% on the participation fee from the fourth employee’s enrollment onwards

Furthermore, companies that purchase more than one Course for two or more employees in the same calendar year can access an additional 10% discount on the total.

A4NP
This educational program participates in the ‘Action for Non Profit’ initiative, which provides free access (while supplies last) to NGO staff. Discover more!

Faculty

Program Leadership

Venere Ferraro, Scientific Director

Barbara Colombo, Technical Director

Faculty Members

Massimo Barbieri, Technology Transfer Office (TTO) | Politecnico di Milano

Antonio Di Bernardo, President | THINX S.r.l.

Giacomo Garbagnati, Head of Intellectual Property | Studio Garbagnati

Partners

Current edition

Partner