Intellectual Property and Technology Law Clinic
The Intellectual Property (IP) Clinic is a joint project of USC Law, the USC Annenberg Center for Communication, and USC Information Services Division. Students in the USC Intellectual Property and Technology Law Clinic represent clients ranging from local artists to non-profits working for consumers and First Amendment rights. Along the way, students learn substantive law related to their projects, and develop valuable skills that will help them maneuver professionally in the rapidly-changing field of IP.
The Intellectual Property and Technology Law Clinic curriculum stresses the importance of thinking through the complexities of intellectual property law. "It's imperative that we're thoughtful about the policies surrounding IP law, which is being affected by rapid technological and social changes," the director of the Intellectual Property and Technology Law Clinic, Professor Urban says. "In turn, IP shapes social interactions - at its most fundamental level, it regulates very basic interactions related to communication, creativity and scientific innovation. Learning about IP and technology law in a clinical setting allows students to think deeply about these kinds of issues and to use their analysis in real-world scenarios."
Through the hands-on experience of representing clients in various forums, students learn professional responsibility, counseling and advocacy skills, substantive law and procedural rules related to their projects, as well as more general skills related to professionalism, work-flow management and teamwork. For example, students in the Clinic are currently working with the Chile Ministry of Education on a study of copyright limitations and exceptions.
For the 2007-2008 academic year, Jack Lerner is serving as Acting Director of the Clinic.
