Intellectual Property and Information Law have emerged as mainstays of the global economy. These disciplines are combined at the Law Center in the Institute for Intellectual Property & Information Law (IPIL), which holds an international reputation for excellence and is recognized as one of the top programs in the United States.
LL.M. students benefit from the Institute’s active involvement in promoting research and scholarship in intellectual property and information law. LL.M. students have the opportunity to study both traditional and emerging areas of intellectual property law (patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret) and information law (internet, software, electronic commerce, and databases). As a leading center for the exchange of ideas in these fields, the program fosters international cooperation among scholars and practitioners.
The Master of Laws program in Intellectual Property & Information Law gives lawyers an opportunity to pursue full-time or part-time studies in an academic setting to improve and expand their knowledge of IPIL. Applicants typically have some intellectual property or information law experience after obtaining their first degree in law. In addition to their strong academic record, many candidates also possess promising research or practice credentials.
Class scheduling and availability vary from year to year, with limited summer offerings. Courses in intellectual property or information law that were previously completed at the Law Center or at another institution may not be credited toward LL.M. program requirements. Students must complete 24 credits including a minimum of 15 credit hours in Intellectual Property and Information Law courses approved by their faculty advisor, and they have the option of writing a 50-page thesis of publishable quality. (Note: thesis supervision is available only during the fall and spring semesters.)
Intellectual Property & Information Law
Courses include:
Communication Law
Copyright Law
Copyright Seminar
Crime in the Information Age
Entertainment Law
Genetics and the Law
Intellectual Property Survey
International Intellectual Property
Intellectual Property for Tech Startups (IPTS)
Internet Law
Licensing & Technology Transfer
Patent Law
Patent Prosecution
Privacy & Data Protection
Procedure of Patent Litigation
Trade Secrets
Trademark Prosecution
Trademark & Unfair Competition
WRS: Advanced Topics in Intellectual Property
* Not all classes are offered every year, and offerings are subject to change. Please check the Law Center website for current course offerings. Lawyers who earned their degree outside of the United States are also required to complete Introduction to American Law and Legal Research and Writing. Courses previously taken at other schools – including the Law Center – may not be credited toward the program requirements.
