Intellectual Property Summer Session

June 3 - 21 (Washington, D.C.); July 1 - 19 (Geneva, Switzerland) 

Each summer, American University Washington College of Law’s renowned intellectual property program offers a unique selection of courses in two policymaking centers, Washington D.C. and Geneva, Switzerland. The ABA-accredited programs are designed for current law students as well as practitioners. Courses are offered on an a la carte basis, or may be combined into concentrations to recieve special Certificates of Completion. 

Course Descriptions

Washington D.C., June 3-21

(Courses maybe taken individually; discounts are available for multiple courses) 

Introduction to International Intellectual Property Law I: Foundations
Taught by Michael Carroll, American University 
June 3-6 MTWTH, 9:00am-12:00pm - 1 Academic Credit

Introduction to International Intellectual Property Law is taught in two parts and is designed for students to be co-enrolled in each session at the same time. Part I: Foundations is a concentrated survey course with lectures and readings to introduce students to the basic principles and legal instruments of international intellectual property law, including examination of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Property and the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property (TRIPS). The course may serve as a basic introduction to the field of intellectual property, as well as to the international dimension fo the field. Taking both units is strongly recommended for students enrolled in PIJIP’s Geneva Sessions. 

Introduction to International Intellectual Property Law II: Practicum  
Taught by Sean Flynn, American University 
June 3-6 MTWTH, 2:00pm-5:00pm - 1 Academic Credit 

Introduction to International Intellectual Property Law is taught in two parts and is designed for students to be co-enrolled in each session at the same time. Part II: Practicum will apply the rules and concepts of international intellectual property through a series of in-class exercises and policy debates focused on a select number of “hot topics” in the field – including pharmaceutical patents, copyright in the digital environment, and application of enforcement measures to cross-border trade. Taking both units is strongly recommended for students enrolled in PIJIP’s Geneva Sessions. 

International Technology Licensing Agreements
Taught by Johan Erauw, Professor, University of Ghent
June 3-13 MTWTH 6:00pm-9:00pm - 1 Academic Credit

This course examines transactions granting the right to use intellectual property rights and their assignment in cross-border business dealings. The course gives ample attention to problems of strategy, valuation and negotiation of contracts involving the international transfer and licensing of copyright and patent rights. The last two classes consist of a negotiation exercise in which students create a mock licensing instrument. 

Intellectual Property Management and Business Strategy
Taught by Carolyn Wimbly Martin, Lutzker & Lutzker LLP
June 7 & 14 F 9:00am-5:00pm - 1 Academic Credit

Intellectual Property Management and Business Strategy borrows a page from the business school case study teaching method. The course encompasses a broad range of disciplines including copyright, trademark, trade secret, commercial and contract law. Principles of Intellectual Property are addressed in the context of the case problems being discussed. The course objectives skew towards an organizational Intellectual Property audit, economic and transaction-based approach, rather than legislative and judicial analysis. At the conclusion of this course, students should be able to identify challenges and opportunities in Intellectual Property that will guide them in counseling and collaborating with clients and other professionals to most productively manage an intellectual property portfolio in the space between registrations and litigation. Grading will be based on a writing assignment and class participation. SYLLABUS

Intellectual Property and Mobile Applications
Taught by Jon Grossman, Dickstein and Shapiro, LLP
June 10-11 MT 9:00am-5:00pm - 1 Academic Credit  

Mobile applications are one of the fastest growing computer software sectors.  Novice and experienced software developers need to have access to software ecosystems, developer toolkits, and in certain circumstances open source materials to efficiently and effectively create applications.  An important aspect in the development life cycle relates to intellectual property planning, including where mobile apps can qualify for intellectual property protection and how they can avoid the pitfalls of intellectual property infringement.  This course will cover intellectual property case law developments covering computer software protection including copyright, patent, trade secret and trademarks. The course will also explore through lecture and class exercises topics facing a mobile app developer including open source, cloud computing and unique mobile app development life cycle issues.

Intellectual Property and Sustainable Development
Taught by Jeremy de Beer, Professor, University of Ottawa
June 12-13 WTH 9:00am-5:00pm - 1 Academic Credit

This course explores how intellectual property intersects with environmental sustainability, technological innovation and knowledge policy. Students in the course will engage in interactive classroom discussion and participate in a simulation of an international negotiation.  

Pharmaceutical Regulation and Litigation Under Hatch Waxman
Taught by Sanya Sukduang, Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, LLP
June 21-22 F/S 9:00am-5:00pm - 1 Academic Credit                                                                    

This course provides a detailed look into a very complex area of patent litigation. This course will explore the origins of Hatch-Waxman and address various issues that arise litigating these cases, including FDA Orange Book patent listing and delisting, the interplay between patent law and FDA law as it pertains to branded drug exclusivity, settling Hatch-Waxman lawsuits, and the newly enacted counterpart to Hatch-Waxman, the Biologics Price, Competition, and Innovation Act for biological drugs. SYLLABUS

Pharmaceutical Patent Protection and Enforcement
Taught by Jeremy Cubert, The Clinical Technology Transfer Group, P.L.L.C., Dipu Doshi, Dickstein and Shapiro, LLP, & Jon Grossman, Dickstein and Shapiro, LLP
June 19-20 W/TH 9:00am-5:00pm - 1 Academic Credit                                                               

Pharmaceutical patents are the economic cornerstone of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.  Novel developments in the fields and their commercialization require access to scientific building-blocks and research.  Financing the costly development timeline from research and development through pre-clinical testing to clinical development and regulatory approval is also required, and may be provided by securing a period of patent exclusivity for the pharmaceutical or its use.  This course considers the inevitable conflicts that arise between between access and exclusivity, and how patent counsel navigate their clients through the legal and regulatory maze of product development and operating in a competitive marketplace. SYLLABUS

Networked Economies, Technical Standards, and Patent Pools
Taught by Carter Eltzroth, General Counsel, Digital Video Broadcasting Project
June 17-20 MTWTH 6:00pm-9:00pm - 1 Academic Credit                                                            

This course will ground students in the law governing standards development organizations and patent pools, including those in common use for digital television (for example, ATSC and DVB standards), mobile telephony (LTE), Internet connectivity (IEEE 802.11 or “WiFi”) and electrical grid modernization (Zigbee, Multispeak). The course will be taught by the Legal Director of the DVB Project (digital TV standards). SYLLABUS

 

 

Geneva Switzerland, July 1-19

International Intellectual Property at the World Intellectual Property Organization
Sean Flynn, American University Washington College of Law
July 1-July 19 (Mornings) - 2 Academic Credits

This course provides a comprehensive study of international intellectual property policymaking at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a specialized agency of the United Nations created "to encourage creative activity [and] promote the protection of intellectual property throughout the world." The course will be organized by American University Professor Sean Flynn and feature numerous lectures and site visits with staff of the World Intellectual Property Organization and other Geneva-based experts, as well as informal opportunities to socialize and network with practitioners and alumni in the field. SYLLABUS

The World Trade Organization: Rule Making and Dispute Settlement
Padideh Ala’i, Professor, American University Washington College of Law
July 1-July 19 (Evenings) - 2 Academic Credits

This intensive program provides an in depth look at the World Trade Organization (WTO) with a focus on the structure and internal workings of the WTO and overview of the substantive areas of international economic relations that are covered in the text of the WTO Agreements. SYLLABUS

 

Washington D.C. Applications

Current American University Washington College of Law JD and LL.M. students enroll through my.au.american.edu beginning April 2.

Visiting students who wish to enroll for ABA-accredited law school academic credit must consult their home institutions and enroll with WCL's Office of the Registrar (202-274-4080).

Applications for non-credit participants (CLE or a Certificate of Attendance) are being accepted through an online form. Discounts are available for groups of four or more students and for taking multiple courses.

Questions may be directed to pijip@wcl.american.edu  

Geneva Applications

All applicants apply online at: www.wcl.american.edu/internationalorganizations/  Fees for Geneva courses include housing and local transportation.