Learning Outcomes

The following is the A.B.A. Standard 301 Statement Regarding Learning Outcomes for the Intellectual Property Law Certificate.

Knowledge and understanding of substantive law

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the justifications and rationales for protecting intellectual property
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the core doctrines of intellectual property law
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the specific aspect(s) of intellectual property law that is/are relevant to their legal careers
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding regarding the different roles that state and federal law play in the intellectual property law process

Knowledge and understanding of procedural law

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the appropriate procedures for obtaining intellectual property protection
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the appropriate procedures for disputing intellectual property protection
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the litigation system with respect to intellectual property enforcement

Legal analysis and reasoning

Given a set of facts either (a) about one party’s quest for intellectual property protection, or (b) between two or more parties relating to an intellectual property dispute, students will be able to: 

• Identify and analyze the intellectual property issues raised by the client and facts
• Explain why something is or is not entitled to intellectual property protection
• Develop reasonable legal arguments with respect to a dispute

Legal research

• Be familiar with intellectual property protection mechanisms and where to begin researching transactional documents, including past applications, pursuing or outlining intellectual property protection
• Be familiar with statutes, precedents, and other sources as starting points for legal research regarding most intellectual property law issues
• Be familiar with recurring federal and state intellectual property issues and where to begin researching such issues

Problem solving

Given a set of facts either (a) about one party’s quest for intellectual property protection, or (b) between two or more parties relating to an intellectual property dispute, students will be able to:

• Identify and analyze the intellectual property issues raised by the client and facts
• Explain why something is or is not entitled to intellectual property protection
• Develop reasonable legal arguments with respect to the dispute
• Predict how a judicial body or agency would evaluate arguments and/or applications
• Create collaborative solutions to intellectual property problems

Written communication in the legal context

• Effectively create a substantial piece of written work that engages in thoughtful analysis of an intellectual property issue
• Draft correspondence to legal clients, including opinion letters, cease and desist letters, responses to cease and desist letters, and/or intellectual property litigation documents

Oral communication in the legal context

• Communicate with clients seeking to protect intellectual property
• Communicate with clients seeking to enforce their intellectual property rights
• Communicate with other lawyers and judges about intellectual property matters

Exercise proper professional and ethical responsibilities

• Understand and show commitment to rules regarding disclosure of information to the appropriate intellectual property office
• Demonstrate respect for other students, faculty, and staff
• Demonstrate an attitude of cooperation with other students, faculty, clients, attorneys, and judges
• Demonstrate honesty, reliability, responsibility, judgment, and critical self-reflection