Intellectual Property: Theory Seminar *

Description:

In this Seminar, we will discuss recent law review articles, book excerpts, and cases that focus on the cutting edge intellectual property law topics of the day. The topics will, of necessity, be different every time the course is offered; they will, however, draw from all intellectual property areas (copyright, patent, trademark, and trade secret) and allied fields (e.g., commons and peer production models of innovation). In addition to reading and discussing class materials, each student is required to research and write an analytical paper on a seminar-related topic of his/her choosing. Students are also required to rewrite their papers in response to comments on their first drafts. Students may thus satisfy the "A" paper writing requirement with this seminar paper.

In Spring 2010, the seminar will focus on Intellectual Property norms, intellectual property law's negative spaces (i.e., domains where no formal intellectual property law regime obtains, such as with fashion design, cuisine, and stand-up comedy), and the public domain. It will give special emphasis to the question, should U.S. law be changed to provide more formal legal protection for industrial design or fashion design?

Meets A writing requirement and Capstone writing requirement

Formal Prerequisites: Intellectual Property Survey , and at least one of the following courses -- Antitrust Law , Copyright Law , Patent Law Policy or Trademark Law.

* Typically offered every other year