About Us

The Institute for Information Law & Policy

The Institute for Information Law and Policy is New York Law School’s home for the study of intellectual property and technology law. Our doctrinal fields of study include copyright, patent, trademark, internet law, and cognate fields, and we focus on legal and policy issues in information technology, fashion, media, entertainment, publishing and associated industries. We also have a strong group examining digital open government issues.

The mission of the IILP is to provide opportunities for New York Law School students and faculty to study the fields of intellectual property and technology law, to advance student knowledge in these fields, to provide ways to connect students and faculty to industry and practice groups, and to engage in the development of the law in our areas of expertise. It provides the focus for student-initiated work, creates connections between faculty and students, and provides guidance over student work and research in this area. It also supports faculty by providing networks and resources to advance their scholarly interests.

Students affiliated with the Institute (Harlan Scholars, Institute Student Fellows, and Associates) pursue a specialized and rigorous course of study, which thoroughly grounds them in intellectual property, information and technology law. Working closely with Institute faculty, Harlan Scholars and Associates also pursue advanced research and design projects aimed at bringing about real-world change through legal scholarship and/or media and software innovation.

Harlan/Associates Program

The Harlan program is New York Law School’s honors program and it has been a notable success of the school. The IILP recently became the most popular center for Harlans, accepting 46 students in the 2010–2011 academic year. In order to expand the opportunities to other students, we have created an “Associates Program.” Both Harlans and Associates will have the opportunity of working with our faculty, graduate fellows and student research fellows on IILP projects. The Harlans and Associates will meet every month to discuss recent developments in IP/technology law, and will blog about these events. Additionally, they have access to our wide program of elective courses, as well as the opportunity to contribute to IILP Public Statements. Public Statements are intended to provide a forum for discussion and argument for positions strongly held by the students on issues within topics of interest to the IILP.

Jobtrack Program

The Jobtrack Program is a two year program aimed at giving students a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed in IP-related industries and in the firms that service them. In the 2009–2010 academic year we successfully trialed three different tracks in advertising law, fashion law, and music law. In 2010–2011 we expanded the program to take on publishing law, videogame law, law practice technology, and sports law; and we have increased enrolment to fifty students spread across second and third year students.

Student blogs and journals

In 2009–2010 we experimented with a new type of student-publication, a “social law journal” that combines a blog, along with legal resources, essays, and social media tools. Our first attempt at this, CaseClothesed.com, is a site aimed at fashion law and business. It has been a great success, both with the students and our audience, and has provided students with a place to demonstrate that they can read, report, and comment on legal issues that matter to the industry and profession. In 2010–2011 we expanded the coverage and scope of CaseClothesed.com, with twelve students joining the program. We also launched a blog focusing on music law, ForTheRechord.com, and another focusing on videogame law, AllYourLawAreBelongToUs.com.

Techlaw Labs

Project-based learning has been a central feature of the IILP for years, and this year is no different. Techlaw Labs allow students to work with faculty members on real-world topics and real-world clients. Previous Techlaw Labs have included the Clickable Statute (a law teaching tool), the Vermont Virtual Corporation, and the Peer To Patent project. More recent topics include producing documentaries about legal issues, building social media and mobile apps for legal practice, and an empirical study on the effect of intellectual property on the freedom of speech.
 

Affiliations

Center for Patent Innovations

The Center for Patent Innovations is associated with both the Institute for Information Law & Policy and the Do Tank.  The Center designs and develops projects harnessing Web-based collaborative tools for the sole purpose of improving patent systems, both in the United States and around the world.