Intellectual Property Program

About Us

Intellectual property is one of the most vibrant and challenging areas of today’s legal profession. Emerging technologies are transforming the role communications networks and content play in our lives, and information has become globally accessible. Attorneys must be prepared to navigate an expanding array of rapidly evolving legal regimes. Clients need lawyers who are well prepared to help them thrive in this dynamic environment. The Vanderbilt Intellectual Property Program prepares Vanderbilt law graduates to meet this challenge. 

World-Class Scholars

Students learn IP law basics and explore advanced topics with world-class scholars and practitioners, including international IP expert Daniel Gervais, the author of the leading guide to the TRIPS Agreement, which governs international intellectual property rights; copyright expert Joseph Fishman, an innovative scholar whose work has examined the relationship of intellectual property to creativity and the creative process; and Michael Bressman, who teaches the Intellectual Property and the Arts Clinic.

Nashville

An Entertainment Industry Capital

Vanderbilt is ideally situated in a major center of entertainment law. Nashville is home to numerous record labels, television networks, instrument manufacturers, and three leading performance rights licensing organizations: BMI, ASCAP, and SESAC. The Vanderbilt Intellectual Property Program coordinates with noted practitioners, many of whom are Vanderbilt Law alumni, to provide fellowships and externship opportunities to students interested in studying technology, intellectual property, entertainment, and innovation law.

Class of 2019

Vivek Biswas

“The current students were kind and welcoming. I really enjoyed meeting the others attending the program, and I was impressed with the academic and career opportunities Vanderbilt offered. That made Vanderbilt an easy choice for law school.”

Accomplished Alumni

Copyright Policymaker Aurelia Schultz ’09 is a counsel for policy and international affairs at the U.S. Copyright Office in Washington, D.C. Schultz began her career as a Google Policy Fellow at Creative Commons, a nonprofit that offer authors, artists, photographers and other creative professionals worldwide copyright licenses they can use to protect and share their intellectual property.

Program News

Have Questions?

Email the Intellectual Property Program coordinator.