This course surveys the three pillars (copyrights, trademarks, and patents) and the twin spokes (the law of ideas and trade secrets) of intellectual property. The course will cover the basic principles of these areas of law by discussion and application of relevant cases and statutes. We will explore the law of ideas cases that have succeeded and failed. We will also cover copyright law, which controls the right to make copies of works; trademarks, which are essential for students interested in pursuing a business career because of the value associated with the symbol that identifies the products or company to the world; and trade secrets and patents, which protect vital technological and scientific information. The course will include brief drafting exercises for documents such as a copyright or trademark registrations, a licensing agreement, or a non-disclosure agreement as well as a final examination.
November 29, 2011
A. Andzic-Tomlinson