The Importance of Intellectual Property in the View of Students: The Case of the Undergraduate Degree in Biotechnology at the Federal University of Amazonas (UFAM)

Abstract

Educational institutions are favorable spaces for teaching the importance of intellectual property (IP) and for proposing actions that mitigate violations of these rights. This research aimed to identify whether students of the biotechnology course at the Federal University of Amazonas (UFAM) understand the importance of IP. This is a descriptive, quali-quantitative research and a case study. The low knowledge of students about IP was identified; a portion of students who have no intention of protecting the research; and another portion intended to protect. The teachers' guidance on the subject positively interferes with the intention to protect the research. The reasons for not protecting were not strongly justified by the respondents. The research made it possible to portray that the UFAM biotechnology course is at the forefront of the dissemination of IP at the undergraduate level, an important topic for the region considering the assets of Amazonian biodiversity.