Program on Information Justice and Intellectual Property

08/12/2026

From Italy to Geneva, Professor Christine Farley had an eventful summer advancing intellectual property scholarship, research, and dialogue. This summer’s international engagements come as Professor Farley prepares to begin a sabbatical from American University Washington College of Law. She will be heading to Helsinki, Finland, where she will serve as the 2026–2027 Distinguished Scholar Fulbright–Hanken Distinguished Chair in Business and Economics at Hanken School of Economics.

Here’s a look back at Professor Farley’s Summer 2026 engagements:
🔹Presented “Design Law Without Design Law? The rise of Copyright and Trademark in Shaping Design Protection,” at Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II in Naples, Italy.
🔹Guest Speaker at Leuven IP and AI Conference at KU Leaven in Belgium.
🔹Presented “Generative AI, Trademark’s Limits, and the Aesthetic Commons,” at Luiss Guido Carli University’s in Rome, Italy.
🔹Taught the IP section of two-week study abroad program International Trade and IP in Geneva, Switzerland.

We look forward to seeing Professor Farely’s continue advancing global IP scholarship in Finland in the year ahead.

08/11/2026

The American University Washington College of Law and the U.S. Committee of the Blue Shield are bringing together leaders across the cultural heritage protection community for a day of thoughtful discussion, collaboration, and strategic planning as they celebrate two decades of the U.S. Committee of the Blue Shield's work to protect cultural heritage in times of conflict and crisis.

Registration is free and open to all, with both in-person and virtual attendance options available. Registration will close on Saturday, September 12.

Register Here: https://loom.ly/qHBzHjs

05/21/2026

Looking to deepen your understanding of global intellectual property law this summer?

May 26–29, 2026, Professor Michael Carroll will teach International Intellectual Property Law, an online course exploring key international IP treaties and principles, including the TRIPS Agreement and WIPO-administered intellectual property treaties.

Open to students and legal professionals, this course offers a timely introduction to the global framework shaping intellectual property policy and practice.

To learn more and enroll, click here: https://loom.ly/8t8DuRY

05/21/2026

How do copyright law’s limitations and exceptions (L&E’s) really interact with copyright markets?

Rightsholders often claim there’s an inverse relationship: more L&Es, weaker markets. But some empirical work pushes back on that narrative. As part of PIJIP’s grant funded work–Arcadia Fellow Aditya Gupta has been researching how access provisions can grow readers and in-turn, book sales. His recent blog post highlights three studies as case studies to help build an understanding on how limitations and exceptions can, support and strengthen copyright markets, rather than undermine them.

Read his full blog here: https://loom.ly/LuPjDxU

05/07/2026

In February, students at WCL’s Glushko-Samuelson IP Law Clinic secured Patent #12,551,768 B1 from the USPTO for a local high school inventor. Luca Salvatore, a varsity soccer player, noticed how the typical net attachment systems would constantly break after impact from balls and players. He contacted the IP clinic to see if his novel solution to this recurring problem was patentable.

This representation spanned two academic years and involved four IP Clinic student attorneys–Sarah Elliot, Sean Graham, Sydney Myers, and John Seager– supervised by patent supervisor David Grossman and Clinic Director Professor Vicki Phillips. The IP Clinic is part of the school’s highly ranked program that not only gives students hands-on experience but also produces real-world results.

With patent protection now in place, Luca is bringing his line of indestructible soccer goals to the national stage this December at the 57th National Athletic Director's Conference in Arizona. Luca noted "I couldn't have thought of a better way to go about my patent other than working with the IP law team at AU. Truly magnificent and brilliant team of people who are led by some of the most respected professionals in the industry!”

We look forward to seeing our clinic students continue to make a positive impact in the D.C. community and beyond.

04/29/2026

Can a generic drug maker be liable for patent infringement?

Happening Today: PIJIP and the Health Law Program will co-host the next installment of our IP@SCOTUS series this evening on Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. v. Amarin Pharma, Inc. | April 29, 2026 | 5:00–6:00 PM ET.

This Supreme Court case raises major questions about induced infringement in the pharmaceutical context, including whether calling a product a “generic version” and citing public information about a branded drug is enough to create liability when the patented use has been fully carved out of the label.

Join us this evening for post-argument reflections from counsel of record and selected amici as we discuss the broader implications for patent law, generic drug competition, and access to medicines.

This is a Hybrid event with reception to follow. Registration required: https://loom.ly/6scEDa8

04/28/2026

Yesterday, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments on whether geofence warrants violate the Fourth Amendment—a case with significant implications for privacy rights, digital surveillance, and constitutional law.

In response to this timely issue, PIJIP and TLS hosted a panel discussion featuring leading experts in data privacy and the law, exploring the broader legal and policy questions at stake.

If you missed the conversation, the full discussion is now available on our YouTube channel: https://loom.ly/T59Bj_k

Chatrie v. United States

04/27/2026

Intellectual Property at the Supreme Court Series — Happening Today!

The Program on Information Justice and Intellectual Property and the Tech, Law & Security Program at American University Washington College of Law (TLS) will co-host the next installment of PIJIP’s IP@SCOTUS series this evening from 5:00 – 6:00 PM ET (virtual only).

Join our panel of experts for post-argument analysis and insights on the case. American University Washington College of Law regularly invites counsel of record and counsel for selected amici to share reflections on intellectual property and related cases heard by the Supreme Court.

Don’t miss this timely discussion. Registration is required: https://loom.ly/SU8HRjE

04/22/2026

We’re excited to announce the panelists for our upcoming discussion on Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. v. Amarin Pharma, Inc., moderated by Professor Charles Duan.

American University Washington College of Law continues its IP @ SCOTUS series, inviting counsel of record and counsel for selected amici to share post-argument reflections on intellectual property cases before the Supreme Court.

Join us for this hybrid event, April 29, 2026 | 5:00-6:00PM EST followed by a reception. Registration required: https://loom.ly/6scEDa8

04/21/2026

The Program on Information Justice and Intellectual Property and the Tech, Law & Security Program at American University Washington College of Law (TLS) will co-host the next installment of PIJIP’s IP@SCOTUS series on April 27, 2026 | 5:00 – 6:00PM ET | Online Only.

Our experts of panelist will be sharing their post-argument analysis and insights regarding the case. American University Washington College of Law regularly invites counsel of record and counsel for selected amici to offer post-argument reflections in intellectual property (and related) cases heard by the Supreme Court.

Registration is required: https://loom.ly/SU8HRjE