The Universidad Tecnológica del Perú (UTP) is organizing the 6th edition of its Moot Court on Intellectual Property, a key academic competition that has become the most prestigious event of its kind in Latin America. As digital innovations increase the risks of unauthorized use, this event aims to promote awareness and best practices for protecting intangible assets.
Intangible assets—such as copyrights, patents, trademarks, and trade secrets—are critical to securing a company’s competitive edge. However, without proper legal protections, these assets are vulnerable to unauthorized use. “Protecting intellectual property allows companies to distinguish their products and services, creating long-term market value,” explains Luis Diez Canseco, Dean of the Faculty of Law at UTP. He emphasizes that protected assets not only prevent imitation but also generate income through licensing agreements and play a crucial role in mergers and acquisitions, enhancing a company’s attractiveness to investors.
The Moot Court provides students with a platform to develop legal skills in a competitive environment, simulating court cases on intellectual property disputes. Participants act as both complainants and defendants, arguing cases before a panel of national and international legal experts. Through this immersive experience, students gain firsthand knowledge of the complexities of IP law, preparing them to tackle real-world challenges.
The competition highlights three key benefits of protecting intellectual property:
- Safeguarding Competitive Advantage: Legal protection prevents unauthorized copying or exploitation, preserving the value of inventions, technologies, and business processes.
- Generating Income through Licensing: Licensing IP assets can generate significant revenue streams and attract potential investors.
- Claiming Compensation for Infringements: IP protection provides legal grounds to seek financial compensation in cases of unauthorized use, reducing business risks.
Registration for the Moot Court was open until October 18, and now the winning team will receive a $5,000 prize. This competition offers future legal professionals an invaluable opportunity to gain hands-on experience in intellectual property, an increasingly relevant field in today’s fast-evolving digital economy.
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