Intellectual Property Law Track
The law of intellectual property exists to promote technological innovation and cultural creativity, which are major drivers of both domestic and global economic growth. According to the United States Patent and Trademark Office, intellectual property intensive industries accounted for 38% of gross domestic product (GDP), 52% of merchandise exports, and 27.9 million jobs in 2016.
Students interested in studying intellectual property and technology law at the University of Idaho can take a range of upper-division courses designed to prepare them for legal careers in this dynamic and growing practice area. Specialized courses in IP can be pursued on their own or within the context of the Business Law Emphasis. Our curricular offerings include Introduction to Intellectual Property, Patents, Trademarks & Unfair Competition, and Copyrights. In addition to these core offerings, Idaho Law regularly offers courses in related areas, including Internet Law, Administrative Law, and Antitrust. Our IP faculty consists of both full-time professors and working attorneys.
Idaho Law sponsors the Intellectual Property Law Society (IPLS) for interested students, and a number of our second- and third-year students sit for the Patent Bar every year. Students studying IP at Idaho are eligible for discounted membership in the Intellectual Property Section of the Idaho State Bar, and many students take advantage of this opportunity to begin building professional relationships with working IP attorneys in the state.