COURSE DESCRIPTION 2012 2013

Mr. John Lanza,

2 credits day; 2 credits evening.

The globalization of business has increased the need for an understanding of the differing intellectual property laws around the world and the application of those laws to the exchange of information, workers, goods and services across national boundaries. Technological inventions, creative works, brand equity and the accumulated experience and expertise of the workforce are important assets in the current global economy. Although the intellectual property laws intended to protect and regulate these assets are national, the assets are not readily confined to the country of origin and exploitation is often multi-national. Advising clients in this environment requires an understanding of the sources and application of a variety of laws and policies. This course will begin with a series of classes introducing the relevant legal and trade principles, economic and cultural influences and sources of law. These classes will consider important basic principles and institutions, including territoriality, national treatment, choice of law and cultural property and the role of WIPO. The balance of the course will be devoted to a series of problems that will allow the class to examine intellectual property laws, including patent, copyright and trademark laws, from a comparative perspective, to analyze the influence of treaties and other arrangements affecting treatment of foreign interests, and to discuss practical approaches for doing business and protecting intellectual property assets globally. Prior satisfactory completion of one or more of the following courses is strongly recommended: Copyright Law, Intellectual Property, Patent Law, or Trademark Law.

Elective Course

Meets Intellectual Property Concentration Requirements

Meets International Law Concentration Requirements

Take Home Exam Required

LLM Course

International Law