Intellectual Property and Information Law
The curriculum is designed to give students many options regarding the depth with which they explore issues in intellectual property, information law, and innovation policy. The Engelberg Center and Information Law Institute offer a variety of events throughout the year that supplement these courses and provide opportunities to discuss emerging issues. Students are also encouraged to balance courses in the specialty area with more general courses, such as Corporations, Administrative Law, and Evidence, and with courses in related areas, such as antitrust and telecommunications law.
- Overview. Students wishing a basic understanding of intellectual property law and innovation theory can take the Survey of Intellectual Property, which explores the three main federal regimes (copyright, patent, and trademark) as well as associated state rights. This course is also recommended for Trade Regulation students specializing in Antitrust Law. It is not recommended for students interested in pursuing a career in any of the intellectual property areas. A student who takes this course and then decides to pursue intellectual property law should consult with a member of the intellectual property law faculty.
- Copyright. Students interested in pursuing a career in copyright law or the entertainment industry should take Copyright Law. They are advised also to take at least one of Patent Law and Trademark Law. In addition, students should take Antitrust Law and a course covering the first amendment. Intellectual property rights holders usually protect their property in multiple jurisdictions. Accordingly, students should also take at least one course that will give them exposure to international law. Such courses include IP-specific courses, such as International Intellectual Property Law and Intellectual Property Law and Globalization. Alternatively, students could take general international law courses, such as International Law; International and Regional Trade Law: The Law of the WTO & NAFTA; or International Organizations. The Colloquium on Innovation Policy offers an opportunity to explore issues in innovation policy in greater depth and to write a paper on a topic of the student’s own choice.
- Patent. Students interested in pursuing a career in this field should take Patent Law. In addition, they are advised to take at least one of Copyright Law and Trademark Law, as well as Antitrust Law. Intellectual property rights holders usually protect their property in multiple jurisdictions. Accordingly, students should also take at least one course that will give them exposure to international law. Such courses include IP-specific courses, such as International Intellectual Property Law and Intellectual Property Law and Globalization. Alternatively, students could take general international law courses, such as International Law; International and Regional Trade Law: The Law of the WTO & NAFTA; or International Organizations. The Colloquium on Innovation Policy offers an opportunity to explore issues in innovation policy in greater depth and to write a paper on a topic of the student’s own choice. Some career paths in patent law require previous training or experience in a science. Those who are interested in the field but do not have a degree in science or math should consult with Professor Dreyfuss or Strandburg.
- Trademark. Students interested in this field should take Trademark Law. In addition, they should take at least one of Copyright Law and Patent Law, as well as an advanced trademark law course or Advertising Law. Intellectual property rights holders usually protect their property in multiple jurisdictions. Accordingly, students should also take at least one course that will give them exposure to international law. Such courses include IP-specific courses, such as International Intellectual Property Law and Intellectual Property Law and Globalization. Alternatively, students could take general international law courses, such as International Law; International and Regional Trade Law: The Law of the WTO & NAFTA; or International Organizations. The Colloquium on Innovation Policy offers an opportunity to explore issues in innovation policy in greater depth and to write a paper on a topic of the student’s own choice.
Students should take at least one course exploring their specialty area in greater depth or from a wider perspective. We offer a variety of upper level courses and seminars depending on the interests and specialties of our regular and visiting faculty. In the past, these courses have included:
Advanced Trademark Law
Advertising Law
Anonymity and Accountability on the Internet
Antitrust Law
Antitrust Law in High-Tech Industries
Art Law
Biotech Patent Law
Colloquium on Innovation Policy
Digital Copyright
Entertainment Law
Environmental Law
Health Law
Information Privacy Law
Intellectual Property Law and Globalization
International Intellectual Property Law
Internet Law
Media Law
Patent Litigation
Telecommunications Law
Topics in E-Commerce