Intellectual Property Moot Court – 7085

The Intellectual Property Moot Court furthers students’ research, writing, and oral advocacy skills using case problems based primarily on patent, copyright, and trademark issues. Case problems also may involve computer law and antitrust issues.

During fall semester, students complete numerous written assignments, the majority of which are components for their appellate brief. Students receive written feedback on each assignment. Towards the end of the semester, students submit a complete first draft of an appellate brief. In spring semester, students receive written feedback on their first draft and also meet with course instructors to discuss the first draft. Students then rewrite the brief based on that feedback. Students also complete a total of four oral arguments during spring semester. The final oral arguments are presented in courtrooms to attorneys practicing in intellectual property law.

The course is run by adjunct attorneys that work in I.P. law, along with two 3L Student Directors. Student Directors are selected based on their overall performance during their second year as well as a written statement as to why they want to be a director. The two Student Directors also are the competition team for the Giles S. Rich Moot Court competition. They write the team briefs, and attend the regional competition, usually in the third week of March. The top two teams at the regional competitions qualify for nationals in Washington, D.C., usually held in early April.