Law 405 - Copyright Law.  This course is a study of intellectual property rights in literary, musical and artistic works and other "original works of authorship" under the federal law of copyright. The Copyright Acts of 1909 and 1976 as amended form the core statutory material covered by the course. Related state and federal doctrines are examined for comparison and contrast. Topics covered include the nature of the rights protected and the kinds of works that qualify for copyright. The course covers copyright duration, ownership, formalities, remedies for infringement and the implications of the adherence of the United States to the Berne Convention. Special emphasis is devoted to the current controversies concerning the use of copyright protection for computer programs, useful objects and fact based works. Three credit hours.

Law 402 - Patents.  Public policies underlying various invention protection systems are analyzed as background for understanding the fundamental concepts of U.S. patent law. The nature of patentable subject matter in the U.S. and the statutory requirements of utility, novelty, and nonobviousness are examined in detail. Students also consider the process of obtaining and enforcing patent rights. Such consideration includes an overview of the disclosure, enablement and claim requirements for a patent application, as well as the scope of protection granted to the owner of an issued patent. The interpretation of patent claims is covered, with special emphasis placed on construing claims under the evolving doctrine of equivalents. Remedies for patent infringement are also reviewed, as well as the defense of patent misuse. Three credit hours. 

 Law 416 Trademarks and Unfair Competition.  This course focuses on obtaining, maintaining, and enforcing legal protection for trademarks. It will include the creation and maintenance of trademark rights, registration and administrative proceedings, generic trademarks, scandalous trademarks, abandonment of trademarks, infringement, dilution, and damages. It will also address the economic value of commercial goodwill and the policies underlying trademark and unfair competition law. Three credit hours.

Capstone Experience.  (Strategies in IP or IP externship or IP clinic or another course designated by the Director).  This course is typically taken in a student's final year.  This is a team taught course with three professors specializing in the areas of patent, trademarks, and copyrights respectively.  

Law 422 - Advanced Research (in Intellectual Property).  This course focuses on specialized legal research in intellectual property law.  Students receive training in using legislative histories, administrative materials, international legal materials, in utilizing legal and non-legal computer databases, in methods of empirical research, and in techniques for cost-efficient research. Two major papers in one of the specialty areas, plus several smaller assignments, are required. Two credit hours.

Law 601 - Emerging Technologies. This seminar explores the ways in which the law and legal system respond to changes in technology. It begins by examining these changes from a historical perspective with innovations such as electricity, the automobile, satellite communications, and radio. It then moves into current technological developments in genetic engineering, surrogate parenting, interactive cable TV, DNA testing, artificial intelligence, and the like. Legal issues involving intellectual property, contractual relationships, constitutional rights of individuals, rules of evidence, negligence, and products liability are discussed. Questions revolve around the ways in which the legal system responds to changes with analogy to the "known and understood," with fear of the unknown, with conflict between legal and moral issues, with new law, and with the attorney's role in formulating change. 

 Law 439 - International Aspects of Intellectual Property Law. Products and services move around the globe with little regard for' national boundaries. Individuals and businesses are forced to consider how their ideas, creative expressions, designs and trade secrets will be protected as they move outside the United States. The U.S. computer software, pharmaceutical, record and motion picture, and book publishing industries are greatly affected by the level of international protection afforded their products. This course will focus on the international system regulating the protection of intellectual property rights. The course will examine the various treaties covering patents, copyrights, trademarks and designs, study the role of the World Intellectual Property Organization, consider the regulatory system of the European Union and other regions and study the ways that individuals and businesses may transfer and protect their intellectual property rights on an international basis through licensing arrangements. The course will include discussion of the problems facing developing countries in acquiring technology and promoting its development and examination of the new role to be played by the GATT in the regulation of "trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights." Two credit hours.

Law 400 - Internet Law.   This course covers issues raised by the impact of the Internet on existing law. Issues considered include: Freedom of speech, privacy, intellectual property, trademark and copyright, commercial transactions, computer crime, and jurisdictional issues. Course materials will be available in both paper and electronic formats. Two credit hours.

Law 213 - Introduction to Intellectual Property.  This course is intended for students interested in a general overview of intellectual property, and as a gateway to the Intellectual Property certification program. It covers the basics in patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret law. Students who have completed or are concurrently registered for two or more of the following are not permitted to take this course: Patent Law, Trademarks and Unfair Competition, and Copyright Law. In addition, students who have submitted a letter of intent to participate in the certificate program may not take this course. Students who have not yet taken any of these courses and who have not submitted a letter of intent, however, will not be precluded from taking any or all of them if they take this introductory course. This course may be counted toward satisfaction of the elective requirements for certification in the Intellectual Property Law program; it is not a required course for earning the certificate. Three credit hours.

Legal Drafting in Intellectual Property Law

Law 633 - Patent Litigation  Students will examine major issues of substantive law and strategy facing a lawyer involved with patent litigation. The seminar sessions will focus on the leading cases in emerging areas of patent law. Such areas include infringement under the doctrine of equivalents, the scope of remedies available to a patent owner, the proofs required to establish patent invalidity, and the role of a jury in deciding complex technological issues. The seminar will also address procedures for developing and presenting at trial a credible theme and conducting a coherent program of trial preparation. 

Law 284 - Patent Office Practice  This course focuses on the substantive and procedural requirements for preparing and prosecuting patent applications. Strong emphasis is placed on drafting patent claims and preparing effective responses to rejections of applications by the U.S. Patent Office. The course also covers other aspects of practice before the Patent Office, including interviews, appeals, and applications for the reexamination and reissue of a patent. The nature of nonobviousness, the doctrine of equivalence, and the patent applicant's duty of candor are reviewed in detail. Patents is a prerequisite. Three credit hours. 

Patent Trial Advocacy  

Practice Before the Federal Circuit  The course  focuses on the practice of law before the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC).  The CAFC has exclusive appellate jurisdiction to hear patent cases.  This course will teach you appellate advocacy, both with respect to how to identify the issues and write a convincing appellate brief and how to prepare for, and present, a winning oral argument to the CAFC.  Generally, this is held on Fridays from 6:00 p.m. - 7:25 p.m., beginning in late October or early November.  The course typically runs through late January, with breaks for the Thanksgiving holiday and over the inter-semester break.  Students are required to submit one appellate brief and compete in an intramural Giles Rich Moot Court Competition (held at the School).  Top students in the class will be invited (but not required) to represent the School in the National Giles Rich Moot Court Competition.  To take this class, you must have taken, or presently be taking, Law 402, Patent Law.  Two credit hours.