Former Master of Advanced Studies in Intellectual Property (MAS IP)

ETH Zurich offered the MAS ETH IP program from 1996 to 2010. The MAS ETH IP was a one-year full-time bilingual postgraduate program introducing students to all aspects of intellectual property law, including patent, trademark, copyright, design protection and competition law as well as licensing agreements, IP management and stategic protection issues. It provided students with a solid background in all fields of intellectual property law, focusing primarily on European, U.S. and major Asian jurisdictions. In addition, students were exposed to the interfaces of intellectual property law with current management and strategy practices.

The MAS ETH IP program was primarily intended for engineers and graduates with a degree in technology, science, or business management from Europe, America, or Asia. Graduates of MAS ETH IP are well equipped for a career in patent law firms, in patent, licensing and trademark departments of large companies, or as technology transfer experts, innovation advisers, and license brokers.

The MAS ETH IP program was taught by over 70 expert lecturers with various backgrounds. They came from Europe, the United States and Asia and worked as patent attorneys, attorneys at law, judges, university professors, or worked in industry, international organisations and national adminsitrations. 75% of the classes were taught in English, 25% were taught in German. While most of the teaching was held in Zurich, students received parts of their education during study visits abroad (Munich, Karlsruhe, and Wasington, D.C.).

The MAS ETH IP program was a founding partner of the external page European Intellectual Property Institutes Network (EIPIN). It was recognized by the European Patent Office and conferred exemption from six months of the practice period required for admission to the examination for European Patent Attorney, reducing the required time to 2.5 years. The program was led by its program director, Dr. Herbert Laederach, and supported by a scientific and administrative support team. From 1996 to 2008, Prof. Gérard Hertig was the delegate ETH professor responsible for the overall strategic orientation of the MAS ETH IP. From 2008 to 2010, Prof. Stefan Bechtold succeeded Prof. Hertig in this role.

ETH Zurich offered the MAS ETH IP program from 1996 to 2010. Out of strategic considerations, the Executive Board of the ETH Zurich decided in November 2009 to close the MAS ETH IP program by the end of the study year 2009/2010. For any questions on this matter, please consult Prof. .