Creative Commons is an open license that actually works with Copyright with a slant to copyleft.

In my Marketing class, I do a project where students work in groups to "create" a company and a product new to the market that they have to "sell" to the school.  The companies have to create an original logo.  In creating their logos, I'd have students check the USPTO database to be sure their logo ideas don't match ones already registered in the database.  Also, I would get students to use the patent classification system to give their new products a unique name using patent "language".

Through Internet research, patent research, standards and codes research, user interviews (if possible) and other techniques (idea web, reverse engineering), students further develop the context for their design challenge. In subsequent activities, the design teams use this body of knowledge about the problem to generate product design ideas. (Note: Conduct this activity in the context of a design project that students are working on, which could be a challenge determined by the teacher, brainstormed with the class, or the example project challenge provided [to design a prosthetic arm that can perform a mechanical function]. This activity is Step 2 in a series of six that guide students through the engineering design loop.)

This lesson is an exciting conclusion to the airplanes unit that encourages students to think creatively. After a review of the concepts learned, students will design their own flying machine based on their knowledge of the forces involved in flight, the properties of available materials, and the ways in which their flying machine could benefit society. Students will also learn how the brainstorming process helps in creative thinking and inventing and that scientists and engineers use this technique to come up with new products or modify and improve exiting products.

This lesson plan goes over the basics of intellectual property rights and laws that protect intellectual property. There are some links to real world examples in the presentation as well. This lesson plan includes a presentation, worksheet, and a key. 

This collection uses primary sources to explore the invention of the telephone. Digital Public Library of America Primary Source Sets are designed to help students develop their critical thinking skills and draw diverse material from libraries, archives, and museums across the United States. Each set includes an overview, ten to fifteen primary sources, links to related resources, and a teaching guide. These sets were created and reviewed by the teachers on the DPLA's Education Advisory Committee.

This course is an intensive introduction to the U.S. law of intellectual property with major emphasis on patents, including what can be patented, the process of patent application, and the remedies for patent infringement.

This guide focuses specifically on some of the decisions you may need to make regarding the materials you have created or used in your research process, including drawings and photographs, tables and charts, lab notes and datasets, interviews and newscasts, software and digital artworks. It describes in non-legal language the basics of a few important terms, including “fair use,” “public domain,” “Creative Commons,” and “patent” as they may apply to these materials. Failure to consider the implications of different copyright and patent approaches for your own work can limit the impact of your work. Failure to adequately review, vet, and seek permission to use others’ work can, in a worst-case scenario, prevent your work from getting published or (in rare cases) lead to legal actions.

On this episode of STEM in 30, learn about patents, and how they are used.

Join us as we explore the dynamic innovations of the aerospace industry and the pioneering inventors that have laid the groundwork for future exploration.