Page 28 - Briefcase V35 Number 1

BRIEFL Y NO TED BRIEFL Y NO TED

GRADUATES URGED TO
SEEK JUSTICE FOR ALL
American Bar Association
President Paulette
Brown challenged the 326
graduates of the University
of Houston Law Center
during commencement
in May 2016 to use their
legal skills to find answers
and justice for those who
PAY TO PLAY? do not have the necessary
Two national sports analysts argued to a draw resources.
on whether collegiate athletes should be “paid The graduating class
to play” during a lively debate in April 2016 included 236 J.D. candidates
hosted by the University of Houston Law and 90 graduates of the Law Center’s LL.M. program.
Center. “There is no other occupation in America that supplies a greater proportion
Joe Nocera, a New York Times columnist of leaders, which you are now one,” Brown said in her address at Hofheinz
and author, and Len Elmore, a former NBA Pavilion. “Being a lawyer is a noble and important profession where you can
basketball player, commentator for ESPN make immediate differences in people’s lives. Now, more than ever, we need our
and CBS and Harvard-educated lawyer, lawyers to lead.”
differed on whether college athletes should
be compensated for their talents that bring in Brown said there has been no shortage of recent events to compel people to
millions of dollars to colleges or whether a free criticize the fairness of the U.S. justice system, but law graduates have the power
education is payment enough. to restore trust.
“My basic position is fairly simple,” Nocera “Thanks to the University of Houston Law Center, you have the tools to make
said in his opening remarks. “College athletes the world a better, more fair and inclusive place,” she said. “You have the power to
should have the same rights as everyone else in rebuild confidence in our nation’s justice system. With your law degree, you can
society, including economic rights. The players make a difference in improving access to justice for all.”
should participate in the financial windfall that
they generate for everyone else.
“The answer is that they can’t be paid because PLAGIARISM VS. HONOR CODE
they are students. My question is why not? If
other students can have work study programs, Intellectual property professionals gathered
why are student athletes alone? The idea that in May 2016 at the University of Houston
education comes first is just not true,” he Law Center to discuss a wide range of
continued. “The money is there, and players related issues in commemoration of 2016’s
should participate in the windfall.” World IP Day.
Elmore said changes have been made in Professor Jacqueline Lipton, the keynote
providing for student athletes, and reform is speaker, discussed literary works, creativity
gaining momentum, but “pay for play is not and popular culture, along with comparing
the solution.” The question is, “Are athletes copyright infringement and plagiarism.
getting a value?” he said. In return for playing, “Plagiarism is not illegal,” Lipton said. “It’s an honor code violation at universities. It’s
they receive tax free aid in the form of tuition, a social construct more than anything else — taking credit for work other people have
room and board, books and medical benefits done. Often accusations of plagiarism are actually more damaging in the marketplace
in addition to the value of the degree itself, he than threatening a copyright suit. People usually don’t go through with litigation, but
said, and they emerge from school debt-free, if you say someone is plagiarizing you, it goes all over the Internet and really tarnishes
unlike most other graduates. your reputation.”
“Instead of ‘employer’ and ‘employee,’ let’s Lipton then led a panel discussion on a wide variety of issues, including digital
consider ‘benefactor’ and ‘beneficiary,’ where technology and fair use policies. Panelists included Professor John Harvey, director of
the athlete promises to perform on the field the Center for Creative Work for the University of Houston’s Honors College; Saima
and in the classroom,” he said. “What’s wrong Kadir, digital strategies and virtual library services manager at the Houston Public
with that?” Library; and Law Center alumnus, Jeff Dodd ’79, a partner at Andrews Kurth Kenyon.

26 Briefcase 2017