International Technology Contract Law and Negotiation Skills (5cr)

Learning outcomes

Student is able to:
- learn to effectively apply legal principles in technology contract negotiations and enhance your abilities in international legal contexts.
- understand the principles and intricacies of international technology agreement law and negotiation skills.
- acquire a profound comprehension of the foundational principles and complexities of international technology agreement law and negotiation skills.
- create a negotiation strategy and experiment negotiation strategies practice.

Teaching methods

Interactive online implementation:

The study unit is conducted online and does not require attendance on campus. The study unit includes working in pairs or groups. The study unit requires active participation and commitment to interactive studying. You will receive individual feedback for assignments from the teacher, and working life or peer feedback may also be utilised.

Learning materials and recommended literature

The course reading will consist of the following:

Minimum mandatory reading:

1. ”The Tech Contracts Handbook: Cloud Computing Agreements, Software Licenses, and Other IT Contracts for Lawyers and Businesspeople, Third Edition”, David W. Tollen

2.. “Practical Business Negotiation”, William W. Baber, and Chavi C-Y Fletcher-Chen, 2020

Suggested additional reading (to be specified as either "highly suggested" or just "suggested" at the beginning of the course as per one's individual level of ambition):

- “Contract Law: A Comparison of Civil Law and Common Law Jurisdictions”, Claire-Michelle Smyth and Marcus Gatto (2018). Chapters 1-9, pages 1-173

- "The modern law of contract”, Richard Stone: Introduction, pages 1-27

- ”Short Course in International Contracts: Drafting the International Sales Contract”, Karla C. Shippey, World Trade Press 2008:Chapter 1, “The Role of Contracts in International Commerce”, (pages 1-8), Chapter 2, “Issues Affecting International Contracts”, Sections: “Cultural Issues”, “Cultural Dos and Don’ts of Negotiating Contracts” (= pages 8 and 9), “Regulatory Laws”, “Internet Issues” (page 14), Chapter 10, “Validity of Contracts Locally” (pages: 111-117), Chapter 11 “Contract Fundamentals in International Legal Systems”, Sections: “The Influence of Local Laws”, “Legal Systems Worldwide”, “Common Law”, “Civil Law”, (pages 119-122), Chapter 21 “Licensing Contract” (pages 170-176)

All of the above available as e-books.

Alternative completion methods of implementation

According to the degree regulations (2024);Students are entitled to apply for recognition of prior learning regardless of where, when and how the competence has been acquired. ... At Laurea, there are two different procedures for the recognition and accreditation of prior learning: a) accreditation of prior learning (competence acquired in higher education studies at another institution) and b) demonstration of competence (competence acquired in other ways). The recognition and accreditation of prior learning is initiated by the student themselves. The student is responsible for demonstrating and verifying their competence. The student is entitled to guidance for the recognition and accreditation of their competence." Further information in the student intranet.

You may also assess work-based learning as a way to acquire the competence needed. Read more in the student intranet.

Important dates

Course begins, Canvas opens: 16 March 2026
DL Orientation assignment/web discussion: 23 March 2026
DL Multiple choice exam contract law: 12 April 2026
DL Multiple choice exam negotiation skills: 3 May 2026
DL Negotiation simulation + Draft License Agreement: 20 May 2026
DL Learning diary: 24 May 2026

Based on the degree regulations (2024), the student accepted for the implementation is required to confirm their participation by showing activity at the start of the study in the following way:

In accordance with the degree regulations (2024), those who have been accepted for the study unit must confirm their participation through completing the orientation assignment / participation in a web discussion in the discussion area, as applicable; action may be required within a week of the start of implementation. If the student does not confirm participation by acting in this way, their registration for the implementation will be rejected and another student can be taken in their place.

Student workload

Workload of the study is measured in a way that to acquire the goal competence of the study, one credit corresponds to an average of 26.7 hours of work done by the student. The actual time needed varies e.g. according to prior competence.

Content and scheduling

International Technology Contract Law and Negotiation Skills is a course designed for Master’s level students wishing to enhance their understanding of cross-border technology contracts and develop practical negotiation skills. Throughout the course, students will explore the fundamentals of international technology contract law, examine key differences between common law and civil law systems, and analyze how these differences affect contractual structures, risk allocation, and enforcement. Students will also delve into common negotiation theories, gaining also a practical understanding of their application in real-life negotiation situations. Students will complete a variety of assignments, both individual and group-based, that reinforce core concepts. The learning experience will culminate in a team project where students negotiate and draft a technology licensing agreement, simulating a real-world commercial negotiation setting.

Further information

The study unit corresponds to the requirements of Master's level education.

The prerequisite for participation is always that the possible competence prerequisites according to the curriculum (previous study or similar competence) are fulfilled. The student is responsible for taking into account the prerequisite conditions. [If there are any skills that are not mentioned in the study information, describe them here.]

The quality of the study unit implementation has been assessed and the self-evaluation report is available for example in Canvas or Teams.

Evaluation scale

H-5

Evaluation methods and criteria

Competence assessment is based on the descriptions of objectives in the curricula, and the level of competence is assessed according to the assessment criteria listed in the implementation plan for the studies" (Laurea degree regulations 2024).

The course assignments will be graded as follows:
Orientation assignment/web discussion: pass/fail
Multiple choice exam contract law: 50 %
Multiple choice exam negotiation skills: 50 %
Negotiation simulation + Draft Licence Agreement: pass/fail
Learning diary: pass/fail

The successful completion of the course shall be subject to the student passing all of the course assignments.

To achieve grade 5 (excellent) the student is able to:

- create a coherent knowledge base by utilising both domestic and international sources comprehensively. (Knowledge base)
- critically analyse current and relevant scientific sources. (Knowledge base)
- apply the knowledge base to various professional contexts with critical thinking. (Knowledge base)
- highlight relevant and critical perspectives related to the knowledge base.(Knowledge base)
- develop new, well-founded solutions to complex research, development, and/or innovation problems using an appropriate development process model or method. (Development)
- act as a developer in development tasks that are complex, unpredictable, and/or require new strategic approaches. (Development)
- evaluate issues openly and boldly from multiple perspectives and build new, innovative, and functional viewpoints based on existing knowledge. (Creativity)
- communicate convincingly both orally and in writing, considering the audience. (Communication)
- utilise creative means of communication. (Communication)
- apply knowledge and skills responsibly and independently. (Working skills, responsibility and independence)
- produce solutions that reflect responsibility and ethics.(Working skills, responsibility and independence)
- organise and manage their own activities. (Working skills, responsibility and independence)
- plan and schedule work systematically. (Working skills, responsibility and independence)
- show tolerance for uncertainty and the ability to overcome challenges independently and justifiably. (Working skills, responsibility and independence)
- work constructively and purposefully in collaboration with others. (Working skills, responsibility and independence)

To achieve grade 3 (good) the student is able to:

- create an essential knowledge base by analysing both domestic and international scientific sources. (Knowledge base)
- apply the knowledge base to various professional contexts, demonstrating independent thinking. (Knowledge base)
- reflect on critical questions related to the knowledge base.(Knowledge base)
- develop well-founded solutions to research, development, and/or innovation problems using a development process model or method.(Development)
- act as a developer in development tasks requiring complex and new approaches.(Development)
- evaluate issues openly from different perspectives and build something original and functional based on existing knowledge. (Creativity)
- communicate expertly both orally and in writing. (Communication)
- utilise various means of communication effectively. (Communication)
- apply knowledge and skills demonstrating responsibility and independence. (Working skills, responsibility and independence)
- produce solutions that demonstrate responsibility and ethics. (Working skills, responsibility and independence)
- plan and execute work according to schedules. (Working skills, responsibility and independence)
- act independently in situations requiring tolerance to uncertainty. (Working skills, responsibility and independence)
- work constructively in collaboration with others. (Working skills, responsibility and independence)

To achieve grade 1 (satisfactory) the student is able to:

- create a justified knowledge base on the subject using research sources (e.g. non-peer-reviewed scientific texts). (Knowledge base)
- apply the knowledge base to various professional contexts. (Knowledge base)
- pose essential questions about the topic under consideration.(Knowledge base)
- develop well-founded solutions to development problems. (Development)
- act in development tasks. (Development)
- examine issues openly from different perspectives and design functional solutions based on existing knowledge. (Creativity)
- communicate clearly both orally and in writing. (Communication)
- utilise means of communication. (Communication)
- demonstrate organisational skills in their own activities according to schedules. (Working skills, responsibility and independence)
- demonstrate responsibility, independence, and ethics in their actions. (Working skills, responsibility and independence)
- operate in uncertain situations (Working skills, responsibility and independence)
- work with others (Working skills, responsibility and independence)


“Students who have failed to demonstrate their competence in accordance with the approved level must supplement or retake their study attainment in a manner and schedule defined by the teacher of the study unit. If the student does not pass the assessment despite the opportunity to complete their study attainment, they must complete the study unit in question in full as specified by the teacher.” (Degree regulations 2024.)

All staff and students of Laurea are expected to adhere to good scientific practices, which includes appropriate referencing. Familiarise yourself with the practices and, if needed, ask for more information. All study assignments are to be done as individual work unless otherwise instructed. If Tournitin is used when assignments are checked, the lecturer will inform the students of this.