Janet Freilich

4 credits

In our modern information economy, the law of intellectual property has taken on enormous importance to both creators and users. This course introduces students to the principles of trade secret, patent, copyright, and trademark law, and explores the ways in which those principles are shifting and adapting in response to new technology. The course is open to all upper level students, without prerequisite. No scientific or technical background is required.

3 credits

This course will explore legal doctrines in intellectual property--particularly patent law--that shape innovation, research, and development in the life sciences. Students will be introduced to laws that influence decision makers in the life sciences and participate in a series of exercises to apply legal doctrines and understand the incentives and outcomes produced by the existing legal framework. Course topics include selecting drug candidates, IP licensing, material transfer agreements, how firms use IP to protect pharmaceuticals, the optimal timing of patent protection, building patent portfolios, regulatory exclusivity, Hatch-Waxman litigation (litigation between brand-name and generic drug companies), and generic drug development. The course will be a combination of lecture and in-class problem-solving exercises. There are no prerequisites for this class. UPPER-CLASS WRITING REQUIREMENT: All students may attempt to satisfy writing requirement. **A student who fails to attend the initial meeting of a seminar or to obtain permission to be absent from either the instructor or the Registrar, may be administratively dropped from the seminar. Students who are on a wait list for a seminar are required to attend the first seminar meeting to be considered for enrollment.