13.02.2026
With the completion of the first semester of the joint Master’s programme “Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer”, offered by the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva and the Patent Office of the Republic of Bulgaria (BPO), the series of lectures delivered by experts from the Centre for International Intellectual Property Studies in Strasbourg (CEIPI) within the course “Intellectual Property Business” was also successfully concluded. For the third consecutive year, the course was led by Prof. Alexander J. Wurzer, who has been involved as a lead lecturer and a key figure in the programme since its launch.
The consistent participation of Prof. Wurzer in the teaching process is of substantial importance for establishing the programme as a highly specialised and internationally oriented educational platform. As Professor of Intellectual Property Management at CEIPI, part of the University of Strasbourg, and a long-standing expert in the field of IP management, he introduces students to contemporary academic and practical approaches to the strategic management of intangible assets in the context of global competition and digital transformation.
Within the course, intellectual property was examined as an integral element of the organisation’s overall managerial and economic logic. Emphasis was placed on the interrelationship between intellectual property strategy, corporate strategy, and business models, as well as on the ways in which different types of intellectual property contribute to achieving sustainable competitive advantages and long-term economic effects.
The training traced the role of intellectual property throughout the entire product and innovation life cycle – from the research and development phase, through market positioning and commercialisation, to portfolio management. Particular attention was paid to the strategic motives for patenting, non-empirical studies on the effectiveness of different protection mechanisms, and alternative value appropriation strategies, including trade secrets, first-mover advantages, and control over complementary assets.
Throughout the course, intellectual property was also analysed as a factor actively influencing market structures and competitive dynamics. By applying established management tools and models, students developed an understanding of how intellectual property rights can create barriers to entry, shape technological standards, enhance brand recognition, and affect the distribution of economic value along the value chain.
The lecture series was characterised by a solid theoretical foundation and a clearly articulated practical orientation. The concepts presented were supported by empirical data, findings from international studies, and real-world practice examples, enabling students to develop an in-depth and critical understanding of intellectual property as a managerial resource.
Exceptional support in organising the lectures was provided by Prof. Wurzer’s coordinator and assistant, Tobias Denk. He prepared individual case studies for each student, which were integrated into the learning process, and actively engaged participants by encouraging discussions and practical applications of the concepts addressed.
The participation of Prof. Alexander J. Wurzer and the experts from CEIPI, led by the Director of the Centre, Prof. Yann Bazire, in the Master’s programme for a third consecutive year is clear evidence of the key role played by the sustainable partnership with CEIPI. This cooperation reinforces the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration’s commitment to high academic quality, a strong international perspective, and the training of specialists capable of strategically applying intellectual property in business, public, and innovation environments.