Michelson 20MM's Free Online Course Helps Entrepreneurs Protect Their Inventions

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Jun 19, 2017, 08:30 ET

LOS ANGELES, June 19, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Michelson 20MM Foundation, founded by prolific inventor Dr. Gary K. Michelson, has launched a free online course on patents, trademarks, copyright, and trade secrets. "Intellectual Property: Inventors, Entrepreneurs, and Creators" is available to learners worldwide on Udemy.com and aims to equip individuals with a basic understanding of intellectual property (IP).

The Intangible Advantage: Understanding Intellectual Property in the New Economy is available for free at michelsonip.com.

Based on the free book, The Intangible Advantage: Understanding Intellectual Property in the New Economy, and inspired by 20MM founder Dr. Gary K. Michelson's robust career as an inventor, the course provides budding entrepreneurs with the tools and framework necessary to better protect their inventions and creations.

With intellectual property comprising 38% of total U.S. GDP and 80% of the market value of all publicly traded companies in the U.S., it is critical that today's inventors and creators gain a working knowledge of the topic.

"Intellectual Property's imprint is everywhere – from Silicon Valley startups and Fortune 500 board rooms, to small local businesses," said Dr. Michelson. "A basic understanding of patents and trademarks can help businesses navigate the legal framework of IP to capitalize on their hard work and hopefully avoid costly litigation battles."

Throughout his incredible career, Dr. Michelson secured 250 U.S. Patents on instruments, methods and devices for advances in spinal and orthopedic surgery and over 950 issued or pending patents worldwide for instruments, operative procedures, and medical devices related to the treatment of spinal disorders.

About the Course
The free self-paced course includes a 38 videos and 3.5 hours of content, including assessment checkpoints, links, and learning objectives that make it easier for students to comprehend intellectual property. Lifetime access to the course is available on mobile devices as well as a certificate of completion.

The Intangible Advantage: Understanding Intellectual Property in the New Economy, is published by the Michelson 20MM Foundation and authored by industry thought leaders including Pulitzer Prize nominated journalist, David Kline, and former Under Secretary of Commerce and Director of the USPTO, David Kappos as Executive Editor. Visit michelsonip.com.

Portions of the project have been developed in partnership with the Intellectual Property Owner's Education Foundation (IPOEF), established by Intellectual Property Owners Association (IPO), a trade association comprised of IP practitioners and thought leaders.

About the Michelson 20MM Foundation
The Michelson 20MM Foundation supports and invests in leading edge entrepreneurs, technologies, and initiatives with the potential to improve postsecondary access, affordability, and efficacy. Michelson 20MM was founded thanks to the generous support of renowned spinal surgeon Dr. Gary K. Michelson and his wife, Alya Michelson.

For more information, visit 20mm.org.

SOURCE The Michelson 20MM Foundation