Introduction to Intellectual Property Law

Information is as basic to the knowledge economy as natural resources were to the industrial economy and human resources to the service economy. The greater the dependence of the economy on new information, the more critical are the institutions that manage its creation, use and exchange. Yet the law creates rights over information (known as intellectual property (IP) rights) much differently than it does over goods or services. The rationale and means for IP rights constitute the subjects of this course. Focusing on copyrights and patents, the course will discuss their theoretical foundations and key concepts and doctrines, including some of the tensions between IP laws, freedom of expression, and free competition. 

The course is suitable both for students who wish to specialize designed with two types of students in mind: those who wish to specialize in IP will benefit from the opportunity to have a broad introduction to the area before taking more specialized upper year courses and seminars. The course is also suitable for students who plan to specialize in other areas but wish to become familiar with the fundamentals of IP law.