Patent Case Disrupts Masters Degree Online Programs Information Technology Progress
Sunday, January 25th, 2009Getting a Masters degree is an important component of one’s success in his career. Technically, a masters degree shows more than just expertise in a body of knowledge. Instead, it serves as a symbol of one’s level of commitment for his chosen profession. Even in a career where a masters degree is not that necessary, getting one provides an individual with enough skills and know-how to have a competitive advantage that can definitely expand your potentials to earn more money in the future. This is highly applicable for those who are in the field of information technology.
However, not everyone is blessed with enough time to get a full time degree in school. There are many individuals who want to pursue their education but are employed full time. Fortunately, recent advancements in the web provided a unique opportunity to further one’s educational attainment without having to sacrifice a full time employment. This comes in the form of a masters degree online programs information technology.
Issues with the patent award
Patent issues with companies which provide E-learning software programs for various institutions may bring a halt to the progress of masters degree online programs information technology.
Just recently, Blackboard – the company which provides software programs for educational institutions that offer online education and distance learning – received a patent award for E-learning technology in the United States. In line with this award, the software company filed a patent-infringement case against one of its major competitors – Desire2Learn.
Apparently, this legal issue between two of the primary E-learning technology providers poses threats to the progress of online education. As explained by some experts, the developments in the observance of copyright and intellectual property rights in the field of information technology pose a clash with the progress of online education.