LL.M. in Intellectual Property and Technology Law

American University Washington College of Law (AUWCL) has long been a leader in the related fields of intellectual property and technology law. Our LL.M. in Intellectual Property and Technology harnesses those strengths with a unique program for international and domestic law graduates looking to enter or grow in these overlapping areas of practice. The program takes advantage of our Washington D.C. location, and our flagship research and policy centers, to bring students in constant contact with the judges, legislators, executive branch officials, trade negotiators, multilateral agencies, scholars, and industry and public interest lawyers whose work shapes this exciting and rapidly changing area of the law. Outstanding applicants are invited to apply for our Information Justice Fellowship, which includes a partial tuition scholarship.

AUWCL’s intellectual property curriculum is one of the largest in the country – with over 60 intellectual property, technology, and related courses. Classes are offered during the day and evening, through out the year, on a part or full time basis – giving students the flexibility to tailor their schedule to accommodate other work and life demands.

The LLM degree requires the completion of twenty-four credit hours in either a Research or Practical Skills Track. At least twelve credits must be taken from approved intellectual property, information law, technology courses, including at least one Foundational course.

Intellectual Property LL.M:

• 24 credits with a grade point average of 2.0 (C) or better:
• Credits can be earned through courses at WCL
• Up to 6 credits total can be earned outside of traditional WCL courses:
  • Independent Study
  • Externship

Required courses:

• At least 12 credits taken from approved intellectual property and information law courses, including at least one Foundational IP course.
• American Legal Institutions (2 credits) (required of non-common law students), and
• Legal Research and Writing (2 credits) (required of all international students without a U.S. J.D. degree)

Graduation tracks:

• Without an externship:
  • Two papers: minimum of 3,500 words each; completed as part of a class or of an independent study
  • Memo written for Legal Research and Writing counts as one paper or
  • A 7,000-word thesis in IP-related topics may be substituted.
• With an externship:
  • One paper only: minimum of 3,500 words; completed as part of a class or of an independent study
  • Memo written for Legal Research and Writing satisfies the writing requirement

Foundational IP & Technology Courses (take at least one)

• Intellectual Property Law
• Copyright Law
• Patent Law
• Trademark Law
• Cyber Security
• National Security

Electives (take at least 9 credits)

• Advanced Copyright Law and Policy
• Advanced Legal Writing: Intellectual Property
• Copyright Law
• Copyright, Licensing, and Open Licenses
• Communications Law & Information Policy
• Cyber Flash Points
• Cyberlaw
• Cybersecurity Law
• E-Commerce Law and Drafting
• Entertainment Law
• Fair Use in Practice
• Fashion and Design Law
• Intellectual Property Practice and Federal Agency Law
• Intellectual Property and Mobile Apps
• Intellectual Property Clinic – Fieldwork
• Intellectual Property Clinic – Seminar
• Intellectual Property in Cyberspace
• Intellectual Property in the Multilateral System
• Licensing Intellectual Property
• Intellectual Property at the ITC
• Intellectual Property Management and Business Strategy
• International and Comparative Patent Law
• International Intellectual Property Law
• International Trademark Law
• Internet Policy & Legislative Advocacy
• Internet Technology & Governance for Lawyers
• Introduction to International Intellectual Property: WTO, TRIPS Agreement
• International Communications: Regulation and Privacy
• Law of Information Privacy
• Law of Armed Conflict
• Law of Professional Sports
• Law and the Visual Arts
• Law, Policy & American Intelligence
• Music Licensing
• National Security in the Digital Age: Cyber and Information Conflict
• Patent Law
• Patent Litigation
• Patent Prosecution
• Pharmaceutical Patent Litigation Under Hatch-Waxman
• Post-Grant Review at the USPTO
• Regulation of Emerging Robotics Automation & Artificial Intelligence
• Social Media and the Law
• Space Law and Satellite Communications Seminar
• Technology and Privacy in Global Perspective
• Technology, Law and Security Policy Seminar
• Trade Secrets
• Trademark Law
• Trademark Practice and Procedure