The Certificate in Intellectual Property (IP) Law Program gives students the skills necessary to thrive in the rapidly changing world of creations of the mind. Students will learn about legal issues and challenges involving intellectual property in biotechnology, computer science, sports and the arts.
Current J.D. students learn how to apply foundational legal concepts in diverse intellectual property settings, including litigation, transactional work and prosecution.
Georgia State Law’s core IP courses, electives and various programmatic opportunities enrich our students’ understanding of the many facets of the IP field and prepare students for successful careers as well-rounded, problem-solving lawyers who can adapt to new challenges.
HIGHLIGHTS
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Benefits
The certificate program offers a strong program of faculty advisement and curriculum planning for a coherent, integrated, and progressive course of study in intellectual property law. The benefits of pursuing a certificate include:
- Preparation:Â The certificate program exposes students to the foundations of intellectual property law to prepare them to practice law. Students review key concepts, laws, policies, institutions, skills and values in the intellectual property field.
- Integrated learning:Â As students learn the basics and progress through required and elective courses, they blend theory and practice in intellectual property law.
- Faculty guidance: Faculty advisers are assigned to students in the certificate program. They can assist students in selecting classes that match students’ interests. They also guide students on career paths and suggest future professional development opportunities.
- Transferability and adaptability:Â The program's core competencies are transferable to other legal fields. Earning a Certificate in Intellectual Property Law does not limit you to working in the IP field, but it can promote your resourcefulness and your ability to adapt successfully to rapidly changing legal, social, technological and global environments.
Potential Careers
- Copyright litigation
- Copyright registration
- Copyright licensing
- Copyright clearance
- Trademark prosecution
- Trademark portfolio management
- Trademark licensing
- Trademark clearance
- Trademark litigation
- Patent prosecution
- Patent litigation
- Patent licensing
- Patent portfolio management
- Museum work
- Media companies
- Sporting events and arena staff
- Television studios
- Motion picture studios
- Internet companies
- Arts organizations
- And others…
Atlanta Advantage
Located in the heart of downtown with access to Atlanta’s landmarks, professional sports, global cuisine, cultural events and more.
A FEW STEPS
- State Capitol
- Federal and state courts
- Atlanta Regional Commission
- Local, state and federal government agencies
- Major law firms and Fortune 500 companies
- Georgia State University Creative Media Industries Institute
A FEW MILES
- AT&T
- Regional offices for Google, Pandora and Amazon
- Cox Communications • Georgia Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts
- Woodruff Arts Center (third-largest arts center in the country)
- CNN
- Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)
Certificate Requirements
To participate in the certificate program students must be in good academic standing based on the successful completion of the first full year of law studies. Students must remain in good standing to continue program participation.
Required Courses
- LAW 7010: Administrative Law (3 credits)*
- LAW 7101: Corporations (3 credits)*
- LAW 7158: Copyrights (3 credits)
- LAW 7417: Patent Law (3 credits)
- LAW 7478: Trademarks and Unfair Competition Law (3 credits)
*Note: Students can choose between either Administrative Law or Corporations. Only one is required, but not both.
Elective Courses
- LAW 7135: Cybersecurity Law and Policy (3 credits)
- LAW 7178: Trade Secrets, Design Patents, & Other Unusual Forms of IPÂ (3 credits)
- LAW 7234: Food and Drug Law (3 credits)
- LAW 7270: Intellectual Property Survey (3 credits)
- LAW 7272E: Licensing of Intellectual Property Law (3 credits)
- LAW 7268: International Intellectual Property (3 credits)
Graduate-Level Elective Courses in Other Colleges and Departments
Because the practice of IP law is interdisciplinary by nature, students pursuing a certificate may satisfy a program requirement of up to three credit hours of the three courses of electives by enrolling in IP-related graduate courses offered by other Georgia State departments. Examples of appropriate graduate courses include:
- IB 8080:Â Legal Aspects of International Business
- IB 8180:Â Doing Business in Emerging Markets
- EMBA 8205:Â Regulatory Environment of Business
Extracurricular Activity
Grades
Frequently Asked Questions
Intellectual Property Certificate
The certificate requires at least 12 core credits, 6 elective credits, and participation in the Intellectual Property Law Society mentoring program. A student who takes more than the minimum number of required certificate credits may count the highest grades when computing the GPA. In addition to the certificate, students may earn a Master of Laws (LL.M.) with a concentration in IP law.
Faculty members provide dedicated advising, career planning, and access to industry experts. Certificates benefit a law student's resume and help to alert employers to students' exposure to specified practice areas. Other benefits include in-depth instruction to promote student’s resourcefulness and ability to adapt successfully to rapidly changing legal, technological, and international factors facing clients.
Law students may declare as early as the second fall semester. To graduate with a certificate, they must submit a Verification Form for review no later than the end of the Drop/Add period of the last semester prior to graduation. The student’s academic advisor must review and sign the Verification Form.
Yes! The Intellectual Property Law Society has matched students with lawyers across the country at Equifax, IHG Hotels & Resorts, LexisNexis, the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, large international law firms, local boutique law firms, and other exciting opportunities.
Yes! IPLS hosts multiple general body meetings, panels, and off-campus events every semester. Contact [email protected] with any questions.
No.
Students must discuss the independent student with the desired faculty member and request approval from the Registrar’s Office using the Law Registrar Request Form.
Contact Hannah Nodar at [email protected] or Brittany Guyre-Powell at [email protected].
Verification for Graduation
Certificate Program Review
To graduate with a certificate, students must submit a Verification for Certificate in Intellectual Property Law for review no later than the end of the drop/add period of a student’s last semester prior to graduation. The form must be signed by the student’s academic advisor.
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