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Prof. Andrew Beckerman-Rodau, Prof. Stephen Michael McJohn,
2 credits day; 2 credits evening. Professor Beckerman-Rodau: My course is primarily taught via
an interactive-discussion method rather than by lecture. Class discussion will focus on cases,
relevant statues and analysis of those materials via problems and hypotheticals. There is no
assigned book for this class. All materials are provided in electronic form via Blackboard and via
email. The exam for this course comprises objective questions. In addition to covering patent
law, copyright law, trademark law and trade secrets law this class will cover the right of
publicity. Professor McJohn: Intellectual property law provides an incentive for creativity,
invention, and
It also protects the rights of authors, inventors, and other
innovators. This course covers the fundamentals of copyright, patent, trademark, and trade
secret. The class combines discussion of the legal materials and analysis of problems, with
extensive use of images related to the cases. Class participation is not graded. There is an exam,
which may vary in format from year to year.
Intellectual property law protects creations of the mind: inventions, trade secrets, artistic
creations, computer software, brand names and image/persona. This course will provide an
overview of the US legal systems that protect such creations, with primary focus on patent,
copyright, trademark and trade secret law. The course serves as a basic building block for more
advanced intellectual property courses within the Intellectual Property Concentration curriculum.
This course is strongly recommended as a precursor to Patent Law, Copyright Law, and
Trademark Law.
Elective Course
Meets Health/Biomedical Concentration Requirements
Meets Intellectual Property Concentration Requirements
Final Exam Required
International and Comparative Legal Research