Resources for Students
IP in Cyberspace | International and Comparative Copyright | IP Clnic & IP Clinic Seminar | IP & Administrative Law Seminar | Patent Prosecution | Advanced Copyright Law and Policy | Advanced Legal Research: Intellectual Property | IP Licensing and Technology Agreements | Patent Litigation
PIJIP's Intellectual Property Summer Session, offers a concentrated curriculum designed for U.S. and foreign law students, practitioners, government officials, and scholars. Courses range from an introduction to international IP to focused, practical classes in advanced subject areas, all taught by leading professors in the field. The program includes a partnership with the law school’s Summer Program in International Organizations, Law and Diplomacy, permitting students to complete part of their study in Geneva, Switzerland.
The Glushko-Samuelson Intellectual Property Law Clinic of the Washington College of Law prepares students to be effective and thoughtful practitioners through direct experience in this rapidly evolving area. Students learn a range of essential lawyering skills and acquire a critical understanding of the values and value conflicts that shape the development of IP law and policy. Through its activities, the Clinic strives to promote the public interest in copyright, patent, trademark and related fields.
WCL offers two LL.M Programs related to the field of Intellectual Property Law. The LLM in Intellectual Property Law and Policy focuses on the regulation of intellectual property and information dissemination within the United States from its origination to its current state. Meanwhile, our LLM in International and Comparative Intellectual Property exposes students to a full range of legal and policy problems associated with the domestic and international regulation of copyrights, trademarks and patents.
A variety of public and private scholarships exist for those particularly interested in intellectual property law and its related fields such communications, food and drug law, and entertainment. Past scholarships have included monetary awards, paid summer positions at law firms, and publication opportunities. PIJIP's list of intellectual property related scholarships is by not means exhaustive, and we are in the process of expanding it.
Among the many advantages of studying law in Washington, D.C., is the opportunity to integrate practical experience with the theory of the classroom. At WCL, students find innumerable opportunities to gain valuable on-the-job experience by participating in our Supervised Externship Program. This program enables students to explore various career options and other facets of becoming a lawyer, providing direction and insight for their postgraduate legal careers.
A number of fellowships supported by universities and civil society groups are available to recent law school graduates who wish to research public interest areas of intellectual property law. PIJIP provides a listing of such fellowships, some examples of which include fellowships supported by the Electronic Frontier Foundation, the American Civil Liberties Union, the Yale Law School Information Society Project, and Stanford’s Center for Internet and Society.
Students have the opportunity to win cash, scholarships and publication through a number of writing competitions focused specifically on intellectual property. PIJIP has collected information on a number of these competitions, some examples of which are contests supported by the American bar Association, the Stanford Technology Law Review, the American Society of Composers and Publishers (ASCAP), and the Berkeley Technology Law Journal.
WCL students have formed a number of groups as well as student-edited journals where students interested in the field of Intellectual Property and associated fields such as Health Law, Business Law, Entertainment Law and International Trade can organize to compare views and organize events to bring better awareness of current events to the WCL community. Past events have included organized trips to observe judicial proceedings as well as student-alumni networking opportunities.
Student volunteers, Dean’s Fellows and Research Assistants regularly engage in PIJIP research, advocacy and event planning projects. Participating in PIJIP projects is an excellent way to meet leaders in the field and gain exposure to cutting-edge IP and information justice issues. Students have assisted PIJIP file amicus briefs in Federal trial and appellate courts, prepared presentations to the United Nations and planned events attended by scholars and leaders from across the globe.
