Curriculum Guide · Courses

Professors Anthony Shaw and Bruce Wieder

J.D. Seminar 040 (cross-listed) | 3 credit hours

This course is intended to be the next in progression from the introductory course in patent law. Thus, it assumes basic knowledge such as the nature of the right to exclude and the structure of a patent. The individual classes focus on specifics of the evolving laws of claim construction, on infringement and remedies, on some of the more theoretically interesting aspects of patent correction and enforcement, and on specific societal issues involving patents. There are special seminars on the Federal Circuit and issues particular to emerging technologies such as biotechnology and interferences. The course does not focus on the mechanics of patent procurement except to the extent they may influence the law of patent enforcement. The course is set up as a seminar to promote an open exchange of ideas in the classroom. Thus, class participation is strongly weighted in the final grade. Both the three-credit and the two-credit versions of this course require a paper. Students registering for the three-credit section will write a paper fulfilling the Upperclass Writing Requirement. According to that requirement, students must submit topics for approval, write outlines and write first drafts, all in consultation with the instructors. Students in the two-credit section must also write a paper, but need not follow the protocols for the Upperclass Writing Requirement.

Prerequisite: Patent Law.

This seminar requires a paper. J.D. students must register for the 3 credit section of the seminar if they wish to write a paper fulfilling the Upperclass Legal Writing Requirement. The paper requirements of the 2 credit section will not fulfill the J.D. Upperclass Legal Writing Requirement.