International Intellectual Property Summer Session

Washington D.C., June 4-16, 2012

Geneva Switzerland, June 19-July 6, 2012

The 2012 International Intellectual Property Summer Session, sponsored by the law school’s Program on Information Justice and Intellectual Property (PIJIP), offers a concentrated program of courses designed for law and graduate school students, practitioners, government officials, and scholars interested in the advanced study of international intellectual property law. 

For the first time this year, the program will include 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. Through courses in two of the global centers for international intellectual property policy making, participants in PIJIP’s Summer Session will study the profound changes in international intellectual property and trade laws over the past quarter century that have transformed business strategies and policy debates. 

The short, intensive structure of the summer program provides students with an opportunity to combine participation in the Session with internships, externships, or summer positions in either Washington D.C. or Geneva. Summer placement information can be found at www.wcl.american.edu/pijip/go/resources.

June 4-16, Washington D.C. 

 

Introduction to International Intellectual Property Law, Michael Carroll, American University 
June 4-7 M-F, 10am-12:20pm - 1 Academic Credit

This course is highly recommended as a prerequisite for other courses in the Summer Sessions for those who have not previously taken a course in intellectual property. The course introduces students to the basic principles and legal instruments of international intellectual property law, including coverage of the international treatment of patents, copyrights and trademarks. 

Intellectual Property and Free Trade Agreements, Sean Flynn, American University
June 4-7 MTWTH 1:00pm-4:00pm - 1 Academic Credit

Topics covered will include: the law and economics of intellectual property; recent developments in the interpretation of the World Trade Organization agreement on Trade Related Aspects of International Property Rights (TRIPS) by the WTO dispute resolution panel; and legal and policy issues associated with the rise of the “enforcement agenda” in international intellectual property.

IP Enforcement Practice at Customs and Border Agencies, Tim Trainer
June 8-9 FS 9:00am-4:00pm - 1 Academic Credit

The focus will be on the role of Customs administrations and their legal authority to protect intellectual property at the border. The first half will focus on the U.S. border enforcement system, the legal authority of US Customs and Border Protection, the administrative and criminal enforcement authority that is relied upon, and the role of intellectual property owners. The second half of the course will build on what has been learned about the U.S. system in order to compare to international border enforcement systems and standards such as the requirements of the World Trade Organization, US free trade agreements, the EU's border enforcement system and the recently concluded Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement.

Intellectual Property & Sustainable Development, Jeremy DeBeer, University of Ottawa
June 13-16, W-Th, 1pm-3:20pm, Sat 10-4pm (simulation) - 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 actively participate in a simulation of an international negotiation. 

International Technology Licensing Agreements, Professor Johan Erauw, University of Ghent
9AM-12PM 6/11-15 & 1-4PM 6/11,12,15
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 contacts involving the international transfer and licensing of copyright and patent rights. The last two classes are built around a negotiation exercise in which students create a mock licensing instrument.


June 19-July 6, Geneva Switzerland


International Intellectual Property at the World Intellectual Property Organization, Christine Farley, Sean Flynn and Experts from Geneva Organizations
June 19-July 6 (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, to promote the protection of intellectual property throughout the world."

The World Trade Organization: Rule Making and Dispute Settlement, Padideh Alai and Experts from the World Trade Organization
July 19-July 6, Evenings - 2 Academic Credits

This two week 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. 


APPLICATIONS 

Washington DC Courses


Current American University Washington College of Law JD and LL.M. students enroll through www.my.american.edu

Visiting students who wish to enroll for academic credit must consult their home institutions work with WCL's Office of the Registrar (202-274-4080) to finalize the enrollment and registration process.

Non-credit participants choosing to enroll for CLE or a Certificate of Attendance should apply using the online form.

Geneva Courses


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