PostDoc Office

Research results are intellectual property (IP). They are potentially valuable, marketable and should therefore be protected against unauthorized use. The decisive factor here is early protection as a failure to do so can hardly be corrected in retrospect. But which research results can be protected at all and which type of protection is the right one?

This seminar provides an overview of the most important intellectual property rights, their significance, application and costs. By using concrete examples from practice, scientists and university members are sensitized to recognize the potential of work results. The steps to obtain the respective protection and the path to prepare for further commercialization of the IP will be illustrated.

The seminar will explore a wide range of IP such as inventions, copyright, designs, trademarks and know how. A special focus will be on software and AI. Questions may be addressed during or at the end of the seminar which will be concluded by an open discussion round.

Content:

• Overview of the possibilities for protecting research results
• Raising awareness of the potential of protectable work results
• Introduction to the steps for obtaining protection and for commercialization
• Open source software
• Software license models
• Is “AI” patentable?

Speakers:

• Dr. Jürgen Walkenhorst has many years of experience in technology transfer, especially in the licensing of life science research results, as well as with patents and start-ups. In addition to degrees in biology and molecular biology, he holds a degree in pharmaceutical business development and licensing.
• Salih Çakmak holds a degree in electrical engineering and is specialized in software, computer-implemented inventions and information technologies. He previously worked as a software developer before switching to the patent department, where he worked for over ten years as Intellectual Property Rights Manager.

Are you passionate about your research and eager to explore how it can create tangible value beyond academia? In this workshop by the Transfer Center enaCom, you'll be introduced to the Research-2-Use Canvas—a practical and strategic tool designed to help you structure your scientific projects with a clear focus on real-world application.

You’ll gain first insights into how your research can be translated into actionable solutions, innovative products, and meaningful contributions—whether in society, policy, or business. The workshop highlights how scientific knowledge can address real challenges across sectors and reach diverse audiences.

You'll also work with ChatGPT as your creative co-pilot—a digital sparring partner that helps you question assumptions, generate fresh ideas, and sharpen the practical impact of your research in real time.

Trainer:

• Greta Mittweg-Grapentin & Christina Qaim (Transfer Center EnaCom, Universität Bonn)