As the fall semester unfolded, the Intellectual Property Law Program continues to provide learning opportunities that promise to inspire, educate, and engage both students and professionals alike. From virtual meetings with prominent figures in the field to insightful panel discussions, the Intellectual Property Law Program is committed to providing valuable experiences that may impact our future legal community.
One of the standout events this fall was the virtual meeting with Christian Hannon, a senior patent attorney with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on October 18th. This event, entitled "Insights from USPTO's Office of Policy & International Affairs," provided a unique perspective on various facets of the work of the USPTO. Mr. Hannon shared his personal journey and valuable insights into the diverse career opportunities within the USPTO. He provided a comprehensive understanding of the USPTO's Office of Policy & International Affairs, its structure, and its pivotal role in shaping intellectual property policy at a national and international level. One of the most interesting points of the conversation was hearing how the USPTO approaches AI developments regarding patents.
On October 23, the Entertainment and Sports Law student organization hosted alumni Aja Byrd ‘06 and Ethan Haire ‘10 to speak about their careers in entertainment law to EASL members and interested students. Ms. Byrd is currently the Director of Business and Legal Affairs for Netflix Original Series. Mr. Haire serves as Vice President, Deputy General Counsel at Sinclair Entertainment. Both alumni described their practice in the entertainment law industry, as well as provided invaluable advice to students. The discussion also touched upon current issues facing the entertainment law industry right now, particularly the rise of artificial intelligence. EASL and Maryland Carey truly appreciate the time and insight of both Mr. Haire and Ms. Byrd.
On November 1, the Maryland Intellectual Property Student Association (MIPSA) hosted an "In-House Legal Forum: Perspectives from Leading Brands." This event featured a distinguished panel of in-house counsel from renowned companies, offering unique insights into their experiences and the challenges they face. The panelists included:
David Springer: Dropbox Data Privacy Counsel and UT Privacy Law Professor, Mr. Springer shared his expertise in data privacy, a topic of increasing significance in the IP landscape.
Kiran Diwalhi: Patent Counsel for a tech company located in Silicon Valley, Ms. Diwalhi shed light on her experiences handling patent matters for one of the world's most innovative companies.
Steve Kiehl: CNN Senior In-House Counsel, Mr. Kiehl provided insights into the unique challenges and opportunities in the media and entertainment industry.
On November 8, the IP Law program presented "IP Enforcement: What You Need To Know." This event featured respected prosecutors from the Department of Justice's Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (DOJ/CCIPS), Benjamin Bleiberg and Frank Lin. They discussed the enforcement of IP laws and the prosecution of violations, casting light on the crucial role of government agencies in protecting intellectual property rights as well as the challenges they face.
The fall semester shaped up to be a diverse learning opportunity for our Intellectual Property Law students, with a wide range of academic experiences that promise to enrich our students and provide valuable insights for our faculty and alumni. We invite all members of our law school community to participate in our events, engage in discussions, network, and learn from distinguished experts in the field of intellectual property law. As we look ahead, we remain committed to fostering a thriving intellectual property law community that nurtures the skills and knowledge of all its members.